Naples – Vesuvius is burning, but its iconic crops are holding firm. The flames, which have been devouring the forests of the Vesuvius National Park for hours, have spared the prized Lacryma Christi vineyards and the Piennolo DOP tomato crops, thanks to timely intervention by firefighting teams.
"Only 1% of the 260 hectares of vineyards have been affected," announced Nicola Caputo, Campania Region's Agriculture Councilor, with relief after an inspection of the Terzigno operations site, the epicenter of the firefighting operations.
The fire, which engulfed slopes and pine forests in a blaze visible for kilometers, represents an unprecedented emergency for Vesuvius, the symbol of Campania and the cradle of a unique form of agriculture. Firefighters, Civil Protection, the Army, Carabinieri forestry officers, and workers from SMA Campania and the Mountain Communities worked tirelessly to contain the flames, protecting the rows of vines and cherry tomato fields that represent the productive heart of the region.
"We feared the worst," confesses Ciro Giordano, president of the Consortium for the Protection of Vesuvius Wines. "These vineyards are a unique winemaking landscape, a heritage that tells our story. Thanks to the volunteers and the Civil Protection Department, we are protecting it."
Cristina Leardi, president of the Consortium for the Piennolo del Vesuvio DOP Tomato, expressed a similar sigh of relief: “Despite the fear, our crops, among the oldest and most typical in Campania, are safe.
It is a miracle, but also the fruit of extraordinary work". The most affected areas, such as the Terzigno pine forest, the Tirone Integral Reserve and the territories of Trecase, Ercolano and Ottaviano, however show signs of devastation that has reduced part of the forest heritage to ashes.
Councilor Caputo, who coordinated the field operations, is already looking to the future: "As soon as the emergency is over, we will assess the damage and activate support measures for farmers. Our goal is to restore the natural heritage and prevent new risks."
The Campania Region, in collaboration with the municipalities, the Vesuvius National Park, and the Metropolitan City, has announced the creation of a steering committee to coordinate a series of interventions: from monitoring burned areas to removing flammable material, from creating firebreaks to reclaiming land against erosion.
Hydrogeological risks will be mapped, with particular attention to damaged trees, and reforestation interventions will be planned with the support of regional nurseries. Compensation measures for agricultural businesses will also be implemented, with regional, national, and EU resources. Vesuvius, with its terraced vineyards and its cherry tomato fields shining like gems in the sun, is much more than a landscape: it is a symbol of identity and resilience.
"The priority is to protect communities and biodiversity," Caputo emphasizes. "This is a heritage we cannot lose." While firefighting teams continue to battle the flames, Campania is rallying around its volcano, determined to preserve its beauty and value for future generations.
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The fire on Vesuvius is truly worrying, even though the vineyards appear to have been saved. But a more effective strategy is needed to prevent similar events in the future; we can't wait for it to happen again.