A fast-moving wildfire in the hills of Tuscany has forced the evacuation of thousands of residents and scorched vast stretches of land, underscoring growing concerns about early-season fires across southern Europe.

The blaze broke out on Monte Faeta, between Lucca and Pisa, in late April and quickly spread due to strong winds and dry vegetation. Authorities say the fire may have been triggered by agricultural burning that spiraled out of control, a common risk factor during the region’s dry periods.

At its peak, the fire burned through an estimated 700 to 800 hectares of forest and vegetation, stretching across a perimeter of roughly 20 kilometers. The flames advanced toward populated areas, threatening communities near San Giuliano Terme and prompting emergency evacuations.

Local officials confirmed that around 3,000 residents were temporarily displaced as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. Some homes were damaged in the process, with at least one rendered uninhabitable, while dense smoke caused air quality concerns across nearby towns.

Emergency response teams deployed significant resources to battle the fire, including ground crews, helicopters and Canadair water-bombing aircraft. Operations were complicated by shifting winds, which fueled the fire’s rapid spread and made containment efforts more difficult.

After several days of intense firefighting, authorities have now brought the wildfire under control, with crews continuing to extinguish remaining hotspots and secure the affected area. Residents are gradually being allowed to return, although recovery efforts are expected to continue in the coming days.

Officials in Tuscany are assessing the full extent of the damage and considering whether to declare a state of natural disaster, a move that would unlock additional resources for recovery and environmental restoration.

The incident highlights a broader trend of increasing wildfire risk across southern Europe, where a combination of rising temperatures, dry conditions and human activity is contributing to more frequent and intense fires. Even early in the season, authorities are warning that regions like Tuscany could face heightened wildfire threats in the months ahead.

For now, attention remains focused on recovery and prevention, as communities begin to rebuild and officials work to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.