Cats Used in Arson Scheme to Ignite Sicily's Wildfires

WHO:

CNN - Domenico Costarella of Calabria’s Civil Protection Agency reported on the arson investigation.

CNN - The Italian Association for the Defense of Animals and the Environment filed a criminal complaint.

CNN - Lauren Pearson, a UC Berkeley researcher, provided insights on Mafia involvement in arson.

CNN - Sergio Nazzaro, a journalist and former spokesman for the president of the Anti-Mafia Parliamentary Commission, commented on Mafia exploitation of emergencies.

WHAT:

CNN - Arsonists tied flammable-soaked rags to cats to ignite wildfires in southern Italy.

CNN - Firefighters completed more than 160 missions within Calabria in the past 24 hours.

CNN - A reward of 1,000 euros was offered for information on the arsonists.

CNN - The European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) reported that Europe’s fire season is above the 20-year average.

WHERE:

CNN - The wildfires are occurring in southern Italy, specifically around Calabria’s Pollino National Park.

CNN - Previous incidents of using cats to start fires were reported in Sicily and near Mount Vesuvius.

WHEN:

CNN - The arson investigation and wildfires are ongoing, with specific reference to events occurring this week.

CNN - A farmer testified to an anti-Mafia commission in 2022 regarding land sales after fires.

WHY:

CNN - Mafia groups are believed to set fires to gain control of territory and profit from land sales post-fire.

CNN - The use of cats in arson is linked to organized crime tactics in southern Italy.

HOW:

CNN - Cats were released into fields with flammable rags tied to their tails to spread fire.

CNN - Evidence of arson included candles lit among flammable rags and delayed ignition devices.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 21:21 UTC)

In a shocking development, arsonists in southern Italy have been using cats, with flammable rags tied to their tails, to ignite wildfires, particularly around Calabria’s Pollino National Park. The Italian Association for the Defense of Animals and the Environment has filed a criminal complaint, while firefighters have completed over 160 missions in the area in just the past 24 hours, and a reward of 1,000 euros is being offered for information on the perpetrators. Experts, including UC Berkeley researcher Lauren Pearson and journalist Sergio Nazzaro, have highlighted the connection between these arson incidents and organized crime tactics, suggesting that Mafia groups exploit such emergencies to gain control of territory and profit from land sales after the fires.