3,500 Evacuated as Wildfire Rages Near Pisa, Italy

Emergency services in Italy evacuated 3,500 people during the night of May 1, 2026, as a massive wildfire on Monte Faeta advanced toward populated areas in the province of Pisa.

The fire, which began several days prior in the Lucchesia region within the municipality of Capannori, reached the Pisan slope on the afternoon of April 30. A shift in wind direction pushed the flames toward Asciano, a hamlet in the municipality of San Giuliano Terme, triggering the urgent nighttime evacuation of residents.

Impact and Damage

The wildfire has caused significant environmental destruction across the provinces of Lucca and Pisa. According to reports from La Nazione, 800 hectares have been engulfed in smoke, while other data indicates that over 450 hectares of forest have already been destroyed.

In addition to the mass evacuation, the fire has impacted residential structures. Local reporting indicates that at least five homes have been hit by the flames.

Cause and Response

Authorities have identified the origin of the blaze. The mayor of the affected area described the cause as negligent, stating that the fire resulted from a controlled burn that escaped oversight.

The evacuation process was carried out under emergency conditions during the night. Residents of Asciano reported being awakened by car horns and urgent instructions to leave their homes immediately as the fire front approached.

The situation remains volatile as firefighting crews continue to battle the blaze. The road network in the region has experienced intermittent disruptions, with certain sections being closed and later reopened as the fire’s movement shifted.