Mafia’s Fiery Grip: How Organized Crime Is Fueling Southern Italy’s Wildfires

Every year, thousands of wildfires rage across southern Italy, driven by blistering temperatures and the dry, relentless sirocco winds blowing in from the Sahara. While climate change fans the flames, a sinister force may be igniting the spark: the Mafia. New research reveals how these criminal groups exploit and exacerbate the crisis for power and profit.

Human Hands Behind the Flames

Though hot, dry conditions create a perfect storm for wildfires, the majority are deliberately set. Officials estimate that over half of the fires are caused by human actions, ranging from land clearing to personal revenge. In regions where Mafia influence is strong, the connection between organized crime and wildfires is drawing increased scrutiny.

“The Mafia is weaponizing fire to exert control and reap financial rewards,” said Lauren Pearson, a researcher from UC Berkeley. Pearson spent months investigating the issue in Sicily, interviewing prosecutors, police, environmentalists, and local residents.

While the Mafia operates in secrecy, making it difficult to gather hard evidence, Pearson’s study highlights a disturbing link between organized crime and the escalating wildfire crisis.

Fires and Mafia Strongholds

Wildfires are nothing new in southern Italy, but their frequency and intensity have reached catastrophic levels. In 2021, Sicily endured more than 8,000 fires, with temperatures soaring to a record-breaking 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The devastation prompted the regional Anti-Mafia Commission to investigate potential criminal involvement.

The Commission’s findings revealed that while extreme weather and rugged terrain contribute to the fire problem, criminal activity is the most dangerous factor. The Mafia’s deep-rooted control over local communities makes it nearly impossible to imagine anyone setting fires in their territories without their consent.

Profiting from Disaster

The Mafia’s use of fire serves two main purposes: asserting power and generating profit. “Fire is money,” journalist Sergio Nazzaro explained. The chaos of a wildfire creates opportunities for companies—often Mafia-linked—to profit from firefighting, cleanup operations, and rebuilding efforts.

In some cases, fires pave the way for lucrative land deals. Pearson’s research uncovered evidence of Mafia groups using wildfires to acquire land for solar and wind energy projects, exploiting funds meant for the clean-energy transition. One farmer even reported being approached by solar panel companies after his land was scorched.

“There’s a cruel irony,” Pearson noted. “The Mafia is weaponizing climate change, creating more destructive fires while profiting from initiatives meant to combat it.”

Fire as a Weapon of Terror

Beyond financial gain, fire is a tool of intimidation. By setting deliberate blazes, the Mafia sends a chilling message to local communities: the land belongs to them. This culture of fear reinforces their dominance and discourages resistance.

Fighting a Hidden Enemy

Proving arson is one thing, but identifying the perpetrators and their motivations is a far greater challenge. “There is no concrete evidence directly linking the Mafia to wildfires,” said Andrea Zoppi, deputy prosecutor in Palermo. However, forest fires often lead to suspicious land speculation, raising questions about their true origins.

Italy has enacted laws to deter arson, such as prohibiting grazing or development on burned land for several years. However, enforcing these measures requires extensive monitoring, which remains a significant hurdle.

A Call for Prevention

Experts argue that Italy’s wildfire strategy focuses too heavily on firefighting rather than prevention. Pietro Ciulla of the World Wildlife Fund Italy emphasized the need for reforestation and proactive measures to reduce fire risks. Without these efforts, the Mafia will continue to exploit the chaos.

As climate change intensifies, the danger posed by wildfires—and the Mafia’s manipulation of them—will only grow. “This is the weaponization of climate change,” Pearson warned. Addressing the wildfire crisis in southern Italy requires not only environmental solutions but also a determined fight against organized crime.