MUNICIPALITY OF CASTIGLIONE DI SICILIA
(METROPOLITAN CITY OF CATANIA)
MAYORAL ORDINANCE NO. 4 OF 07/11/2025
Subject
Conditions and limits for access to the summit areas of Etna using the access route to the summit craters of Mount Etna North in the territory of the Municipality of Castiglione Di Sicilia - Permitted activities within the "YELLOW ZONE" designated "ZPP" (Zone of Permanent Hazard) of the north slope of Mount Etna, as identified in the map attached as Annex 1 to the note issued by the Regional Department of Civil Protection - Seismic and Volcanic Risk Service - S.03 concerning regional operational procedures (update 2022 INGV OE), subject to new demarcation carried out by INGV - OE and transmitted to the interested parties with note from D.R.P.C. Sicilia no. 13121 of March 29, 2023.
THE MAYOR
RECALLING
- The "Volcanic risk alert procedures and methods of use for the summit area of Mount Etna," prepared by the Regional Department of Civil Protection, Seismic and Volcanic Risk Service, updated on 09/05/2018, available on the institutional website of the Sicilian Region at www.regione.sicilia.it;
- The "Regional operational procedures following the reception of alert messages from the ETNAS System," according to which, with note prot. 28490/S.03/DRPC Sicilia of 06/30/2023, it was communicated that, starting from April 1, 2022, the rapid alert system ETNAS (Etna iNtegrated Alert System) created by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology - Etna Observatory, with the contribution of the Center for Civil Protection of the University of Florence - LGS, became fully operational, relating to the possible imminent or ongoing occurrence of lava fountains (paroxysms) and magmatic intrusions;
CONSIDERING
- That, for the ascent to the Volcano from the North slope, the track from Piano Provenzana, at an altitude of 1800 m a.s.l., to Piano delle Concazze, at an altitude of 2800 m a.s.l., an area within the territory of the Municipality of Linguaglossa, is used by authorized subjects with authorized off-road vehicles;
- That this track continues to the area within the territory of the Municipality of Castiglione, where the use of authorized off-road vehicles is prohibited as it is part of the so-called "ZPP" (Zone of Permanent Hazard), formerly the "yellow zone";
- That it is necessary and appropriate to establish a regulation of the conditions and limits of access, accompanied by correct and complete information for hikers and users of the Volcano, as follows:
- Summit area: is the area including the summit craters, the upper Valle del Bove, and all areas generally above 2,500m a.s.l. and, in any case, even at lower altitudes, within a safety buffer from active lava flows or eruptive vents (criticality related to volcanic phenomena) as defined by the DPC with note "Etna volcanic activity: Criticality levels and related possible scenarios" prot. 60384 of 11/24/2006;
- Yellow zone: designated "ZPP" (Zone of Permanent Hazard) of the north slope of Mount Etna, is the area subject to the new demarcation carried out by INGV - OE and transmitted to the interested parties with note from D.R.P.C. Sicilia no. 13121 of March 29, 2023. The boundaries of the yellow zone are wider than the boundaries of the summit area described above, particularly in the Valle del Bove.
Identification of the Summit Area and the Yellow Zone of Mount Etna (2022 update - INGV-OE).
ACKNOWLEDGING
That, with note prot./U no. 11926 of 07/11/2025, signed by the Mayors of the Municipality of Castiglione di Sicilia and the Municipality of Linguaglossa, following the operational meeting held at the headquarters of the Regional Department of Civil Protection - Catania office on July 4, it is requested of the Prefect of Catania, the Director of D.R.P.C. Sicilia, the Director of INGV of Catania, the Commissioner of the Etna Park, the availability to promptly start a technical round table, with the primary purpose of identifying the conditions, limits, and precautions for access and transit of Etna users in the so-called "yellow zone," designated "ZPP" (Zone of Permanent Hazard) of the north slope of Mount Etna, so as to allow operators and users themselves to operate in conditions of optimal safety for their own well-being;
PENDING
The need to ensure maximum safety conditions for tourist use (excursions and ascents, including with mountaineering and/or ski-mountaineering techniques) in the summit area, and, in particular, in the so-called "yellow zone" of Mount Etna, and that the volcanic risk can be considered proportional to the number of people and the time of exposure to it;
HAVING REGARD TO
- Art. 2 of Law no. 225/1992;
- Legislative Decree no. 1 of January 2, 2018;
- Art. 2 of the T.U.L.P.S. (Consolidated Law on Public Security), approved by R.D. no. 773/1931;
- Art. 12 of Law no. 265/1999;
- Art. 54 of Legislative Decree no. 267/2000 and subsequent amendments;
- The O.A.EE.LL. (Ordinance of Local Authorities) in force in the Sicilian region, with particular reference to Art. 69;
ORDERS
Rules for the Summit Area
In the summit area, free excursions are possible, taking care to:
- Obtain prior information on the state of the volcano, alert levels, weather, and permitted routes.
- Refrain from entering the yellow zone without guides and respect the marked trails.
- Be equipped with appropriate clothing and gear for high altitudes.
- Refrain from hiking in case of imperfect psycho-physical conditions or respiratory/cardiac pathologies.
- Hike between dawn and dusk, without camping overnight.
Rules for the Yellow Zone (ZPP)
Excursions are possible only if accompanied by Alpine or Volcanological Guides, with safety equipment (including a helmet), limited to transit without stopping.
Guide's duties before the excursion:
- Inquire about the state of the volcano and the weather.
- Adequately inform hikers about the risks.
- Obtain a waiver from each hiker.
- Check the suitability of clothing and provide a helmet.
- Refuse to accompany those who are not suitable.
Guide's duties during the excursion:
- Always be in radio contact with an available "contact person."
- Supervise the group's behavior.
Limit for Vehicles
Off-road vehicles for tourist transport may reach an altitude of 2,800m a.s.l. in the area north of the Pizzi Deneri Observatory, i.e., immediately outside the "yellow zone".
Pre-Alarm Phase (F1)
Upon the transition from F0 to F1 (PRE-ALARM), all activities in the summit and yellow zones must be suspended. Guides must stop activities and ensure the immediate evacuation of users.
Group Size Limits
Follow the Regulations of the Regional College of Guides. In the "yellow zone," transit is allowed for a maximum of 10 people per guide.
Departure Intervals
To limit concurrent presence, groups must start the trail with 15-minute intervals. Transit in the "yellow zone" must be limited to the strictly necessary time.
Interruption of the Excursion
The guide, at their sole discretion, may interrupt the excursion and decide to return, communicating this to the contact person.
Emergency Management
In dangerous situations or upon receiving changes in alert levels, the guide will immediately suspend the excursion, ensuring a safe return and communicating it to the contact person and the Municipal Civil Protection. The guide must always be equipped with first aid materials.
Exemptions
The limitations do not apply to security and rescue personnel, law enforcement, Civil Protection, Etna Park staff, and scientific personnel. Access is also permitted for professional journalists and photographers if accompanied by authorized personnel.
Penalties
Violators will be reported to the Judicial Authority pursuant to Art. 650 of the Penal Code.
Final Provisions
Any provision in conflict with this one is suspended until a new mayoral order.
ENACTS
That the Municipal Police and the Public Force are responsible for the execution of this Ordinance;
To transmit this document to:
- The Regional Department of Civil Protection - Volcanological Service S.03;
- The Prefecture of Catania;
- The Metropolitan City of Catania;
- The Mayors of the Etna Park for the coordination of Civil Protection activities;
- The Regional Directorate of the Fire Brigade;
- The Provincial Command of the Fire Brigade of Catania;
- The Etna Park Authority;
- The Guardia di Finanza-Alpine Rescue Nicolosi;
- The Regional Forestry Corps - Linguaglossa Detachment;
- The Carabinieri Barracks Station of Castiglione di Sicilia;
- The Carabinieri Barracks Station of Passopisciaro;
- The Municipal Police Command of Castiglione di Sicilia;
- The Regional College of Alpine and Volcanological Guides;
- The C.N.S.A.S. (National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps);
- The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology of Catania;
- The Italian Alpine Club, Catania section;
- The Etna Cableway;
- The economic operators awarded the authorizations for access to the Etna North high mountain track;
- The SAGF - Alpine Rescue Unit of the Guardia di Finanza of Nicolosi.
This Ordinance will be published on the Official Register and on the institutional website of the Municipality.
Castiglione di Sicilia, 07/11/2025
THE MAYOR
Signed Concetto Stagnitti
