Experts link soaring heat and declining rainfall from climate change to worsening forest fires.
Europe’s 2025 wildfire season shattered records for burned land.
Over one million hectares in the EU went up in flames this year, larger than Corsica’s land area.
That figure is more than four times higher than in 2024.
Widespread Destruction Across Europe
Authorities recorded more than 1,800 fires, releasing over 38 million tonnes of CO₂.
Only the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and Malta reported no wildfires.
Italy and Romania topped the list with more than 450 fires each.
Cyprus faced only three fires, but they caused severe destruction.
Spain lost more than 400,000 hectares since January, while Portugal lost over 260,000 hectares.
Those fires burned 3% of Portugal’s land and 0.8% of Spain’s territory.
Preparing for a Harsher Future
Experts warn conditions will worsen, straining firefighting systems already at their limit.
Held urged stronger landscape preparation to make ecosystems more resilient.
He emphasized that firefighters need safer, more efficient conditions to operate.
Teams clear vegetation, graze livestock, or conduct controlled burns to lower risks.
Other strategies include agroforestry systems blending trees and crops in shared landscapes.
