Arsonists used cats to spread Italy's wildfires – CNN
5 hours ago
- Cats with flammable rags tied to their tails were used to spread wildfires in southern Italy.
- Evidence of arson includes candles and delayed ignition devices.
- Firefighters have conducted over 160 missions in Calabria's Pollino National Park.
- An animal protection group offers a 1000 euro reward for information on the cat attacks.
- Europe's 2026 fire season remains above the 20-year average despite improvement.
- Using cats to start fires is a known tactic previously linked to the Mafia.
- Mafia groups set fires to control territory and profit from burned land.
- Journalists report Mafia exploitation of emergencies through front organizations.
- A civil protection official calls for a societal mindset shift to stop arson.