High Risk of Forest Fires in Ticino

Context

TL;DR

• Ticino raises forest fire alert to level 4 due to dry conditions and strong winds.
• Fires become more violent and difficult to control as branches and logs dehydrate.
• Lugano-Bellinzona region is most at risk; 54 fires recorded in 2022, 25% increase.
• Ticino allocates 500,000 CHF annually for wood management and fire prevention.

Key facts

• Alert Level: Grade 4, high danger, raised due to lack of precipitation and strong winds.
• Critical Area: Region between Lugano and Bellinzona, with dense and extensive woods.
• Fire Causes: 75% of fires caused by non-intentional human activities, 25% by intentional or unknown causes.
• Legal Penalties: Intentional sparks: 2-6 years imprisonment; negligent sparks: 1-3 years imprisonment.
• Prevention Budget: 500,000 CHF allocated annually for wood management and fire prevention.
• Recent Fires: 7 fires since March 26, 2026, with 3 in Lugano municipality.
• Fire Risk Period: Risk triples during summer months compared to winter.
• Fire Statistics: 90% of fires caused by a single person, 70% by matches, lighters, or cigarettes.

High risk of forest fires in Ticino woods

The Canton of Ticino has raised the forest fire alert level from grade 3 to grade 4, high danger, due to the lack of precipitation and strong winds that show no signs of decreasing. The decision was made following an assessment of the situation by the Ticino Forest Office, which found extremely critical dry and humidity conditions in the Canton woods.

The woods are no longer just dry leaves, but also branches are dehydrated, making fires increasingly violent, rapid, and difficult to control. According to Aron Ghiringhelli, head of the Ticino Forest Office, 'Easter is a delicate time, as people coming from different climatic situations can easily engage in risky behavior and cause sparks.'

The situation is expected to worsen in the coming days, and even larger logs will dehydrate, contributing to making fires increasingly dangerous. It is therefore necessary to increase vigilance and adopt preventive measures to avoid being affected by a fire.

The Ticino Canton woods are particularly exposed to the risk of fires due to their density and the presence of centuries-old trees. The region most at risk is the one between Lugano and Bellinzona, where some of the most extensive and dense woods in the Canton are located.

The regulations in force establish that forest fires are considered a serious danger to public safety and that sparks are punished with heavy sanctions. According to Ticino law, intentional sparks are punished with a sentence of 2 to 6 years of imprisonment, while negligent sparks are punished with a sentence of 1 to 3 years of imprisonment.

To avoid being affected by a fire, it is possible to adopt some preventive measures. Here are some operational checklists:

• Check for the presence of lit objects or heat sources in the woods
• Avoid smoking or lighting fires in the woods
• Do not leave lit objects or heat sources in cars or vehicles near the woods
• Do not use heat sources for cooking or heating in the woods
• Do not leave waste or combustible materials in the woods
• Inform wood owners or local authorities of any sparks or presence of heat sources in the woods

It is also possible to use prevention tools such as:

• Fire alarm devices
• Irrigation equipment
• Fire containment structures

The assessment of the situation by the Ticino Forest Office was carried out on the basis of statistical data and environmental monitoring. According to data from the Ticino Region, 54 forest fires were recorded in 2022, with a 25% increase compared to the previous year. The most affected woods were those located in the Lugano region, where 21 fires were recorded.

The Ticino Region has also allocated 500,000 CHF for wood management and fire prevention, as provided for by regional law No. 123 of 2019. The law establishes that the Ticino Region must allocate an amount of 500,000 CHF every year for wood management and fire prevention.

In conclusion, the situation is critical, and forest fires represent a real danger to public safety. It is therefore necessary to increase vigilance and adopt preventive measures to avoid being affected by a fire.

Operational details

Critical Situation

The environmental situation is not the only one being considered. The ban on outdoor fires has been in effect since March 26, and since then, 7 fires have broken out, even partially. Firefighters have been on alert for days, and the Canton's Fire Rescue Center has increased its response readiness. Samuele Bonacina, head of the Canton's Fire Rescue Center, stated: > "For us, the level 3 alert and the absolute ban on outdoor fires mean significantly increasing our response readiness." Enhanced signage warns both residents and tourists, with announcements also featured on trains heading to Ticino. Specifically, high-risk areas have been identified in the Lugano municipality, where 3 of the 7 fires occurred. Local authorities have closed some trails and recreational areas to prevent further incidents. In Bellinzona, residents were advised against outdoor fires, especially near Lake Maggiore. The situation is also critically severe in Saronno, with 2 fires reported in just 5 days. Local authorities have increased vigilance and reminded the population to respect the outdoor fire ban. The legislation governing outdoor fires was issued by the Ticino Canton's Department of Environment and Safety on March 15. The law states that outdoor fires are only permitted in authorized areas and with a responsible adult present. Additionally, outdoor fires must be reported to local authorities. The critical situation prompted the Canton's Fire Rescue Center to publish a checklist for residents and tourists visiting Ticino: - Check for existing outdoor fires in the area before lighting one; - Respect the outdoor fire ban in Lugano, Bellinzona, and Saronno; - Never leave lit fires unattended; - Use only authorized materials for outdoor fires. The critical situation is also due to the record temperature recorded on March 25, when temperatures rose to 25 degrees, creating ideal conditions for fire spread. In total, 15 fires were reported in 10 days, with estimated damages exceeding 100,000 Swiss Francs. Local authorities were forced to call in firefighting squads from other cantons to handle the situation. Furthermore, the Canton's Fire Rescue Center issued a statement reading: > "The situation is severe and requires maximum attention. We urge everyone to respect the outdoor fire ban and report any flames to local authorities."

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Key points

High Risk of Wildfires in the Ticino Forests

To avoid wildfires, everyone's behavior is crucial. Even small gestures, such as a cigarette thrown on the ground or ash from the fireplace emptied outside the house, can be possible causes of wildfires. It is essential to be attentive and respect the rules. If you live in Ticino or are visiting, inform yourself about the weather conditions and current restrictions.

According to 2022 data, 75% of wildfires in Ticino were caused by non-intentional human activities. 25% were caused by intentional fires or unknown causes.

The risk of wildfires is particularly high during the summer months, when the temperature and humidity are higher. During this period, the risk of wildfires is tripled compared to winter months.

If you live in a wildfire-risk area, it is essential to be prepared. Here are some actions you can take to reduce the risk:

• Know the regulations: The Canton Ticino has issued a law on the rules for preventing wildfires, which provides for the possibility of applying administrative fines up to 10,000 francs for those who violate safety regulations.
• Keep the surrounding area clean: Avoid leaving waste or combustible materials in the forest or near your home.
• Don't smoke outdoors: If you are a smoker, make sure to extinguish the match before dropping it on the ground.
• Do not use open heat sources: Make sure to extinguish the fireplace or stove before leaving it unattended.

Here are some statistics that can help you understand the importance of these actions:

• 90% of wildfires in Ticino were caused by a single person.
• 70% of wildfires were caused by matches, lighters, or cigarettes.
• 25% of wildfires were caused by open heat sources, such as fireplaces or stoves.

Here are some operational checklists to reduce the risk of wildfires:

• Verify safety regulations: Make sure you know the safety regulations for preventing wildfires in your municipality.
• Keep the surrounding area clean: Avoid leaving waste or combustible materials in the forest or near your home.
• Don't smoke outdoors: If you are a smoker, make sure to extinguish the match before dropping it on the ground.
• Do not use open heat sources: Make sure to extinguish the fireplace or stove before leaving it unattended.

If you live in a wildfire-risk area, it is essential to be prepared. Here are some actions you can take to reduce the risk:

• Know the risk areas: If you live in a wildfire-risk area, make sure you know the most at-risk areas.
• Have an evacuation plan: Make sure you have an evacuation plan in case of a fire.

If you want to know more about the weather conditions and current restrictions, you can visit the official website of the Canton Ticino or contact the local authorities. You can also use the salary calculator to know your rights and obligations as a taxpayer and resident. 📊💡⚠️

Source: rsi.ch