Sicily under wildfire risk alert. Photo: Shutterstock Sicily's heightened wildfire threat and intense heat is far from over. Regional authorities have today, July 21, 2026, placed all nine provinces under an "Attention" alert level for fire risk and issued the highest heat warning for several major cities.
According to Sicily's Civil Protection Department, the alert is valid from 12:00 a.m. on July 21 and comes as temperatures remain elevated across much of the island despite forecasts indicating a gradual cooling trend in the coming days.
The agency said wildfire conditions remain favorable across Sicily due to hot weather, low humidity levels between 20% and 40%, and dry vegetation. Provinces including Agrigento, Caltanissetta, Catania, Enna, Messina, Palermo, Ragusa, Siracusa, and Trapani have all been placed under the "Attention" category, which corresponds to a high level of fire danger.
Under regional civil protection procedures, local authorities are being urged to maintain close coordination with emergency services and monitor any developments that could lead to rapidly spreading wildfires.
At the same time, Sicily's largest cities are bracing for severe heat. Forecasts issued in coordination with Italy's Ministry of Health place Catania, Messina, and Palermo under a Level 3 heatwave alert on July 21, the highest warning level used by Italian authorities.
Expected perceived temperatures are forecast to reach 38°C in Catania, 38°C in Messina, and 39°C in Palermo. A Level 3 alert is issued when heatwave conditions persist for three or more consecutive days and pose risks to public health, particularly for vulnerable groups such as older adults, children, and people with underlying medical conditions.
Despite a weather system over central Europe expected to bring cooler air into parts of Italy, officials said temperatures across southern regions, including Sicily, will remain high in the short term.
The Civil Protection Department has urged municipalities and emergency response agencies to ensure the widest possible dissemination of the warning and remain prepared throughout the alert period.
Residents and visitors are advised to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during the hottest hours of the day, and exercise caution in rural and forested areas where even a small ignition source could trigger a fast-moving wildfire.