Near the burned areas, candles and homemade delayed-ignition devices were also found. These discoveries reinforced the theory that some of the fires were caused by human activity. Animal rights activists announced a reward of one thousand euros for information about the suspected perpetrators and filed a complaint with the prosecutor’s office.
“These animals were released into the fields, they ran around in panic and spread the fire over broader areas,” stated Domenico Costarella from the Civil Protection Agency of Calabria.
Similar methods of arson had previously been linked to criminal groups in Sicily and the Vesuvius area. According to the leading hypothesis, mafia clans burn down forests in order to later buy the land at reduced prices and secure lucrative contracts for construction or the installation of solar panels.
Over the past few days, more than 160 fires have been recorded in the region. In the Pollino National Park, flames destroyed about a thousand hectares, while heat, drought, and strong winds hampered rescue efforts.
Calabria is an administrative region located at the southernmost tip of mainland Italy, occupying the “toe” of the Apennine “boot.”
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