safety
How arsonists used cats to spread Italy’s wildfires
Summary by The Waco Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Max Saltman, Sharon Braithwaite , KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 22, 2026
· 3 min read
As wildfires blazed in southern Italy this week, authorities probing for arson found a grisly clue: cats with flammable-soaked rags tied to their tails. These animals were released into the fields, running around and spreading the fire, said Domenico Costarella of Calabrias Civil Protection Agenc...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Waco Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Max Saltman, Sharon Braithwaite, KXXV (ABC 25) News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 22, 2026 Indexed here Jul 23, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway While 2026 has been a better year for fires in Europe overall, the continents fire season is still above the 20-year average, EFFIS said in a daily bulletin.
Why this matters in The Waco
The use of cats to spread wildfires in southern Italy raises concerns about the potential for similar tactics in Waco's own wildland-urban interface. As the city continues to grow and develop, the risk of wildfires poses a significant threat to public safety. The fact that organized crime groups have used this method in the past to gain control of territory and exploit land for financial gain is particularly troubling. In Waco, where wildfires can quickly spread due to the dry Texas climate, it is crucial for local authorities to be aware of these tactics and take proactive measures to prevent and investigate arson. The collaboration between law enforcement and wildfire management agencies will be key in addressing this issue, and the community should remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to help prevent wildfires and protect the city's natural areas.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 3 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? As wildfires blazed in southern Italy this week, authorities probing for arson found a grisly clue: cats with flammable-soaked rags tied to their tails. These animals were released into the fields, running around and spreading the fire, said Domenico Costarella of Calabrias Civil Protection Agenc...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Max Saltman, Sharon Braithwaite at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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