Experts link rising temperatures and lower rainfall to more intense and frequent forest fires.
The 2025 wildfire season in Europe has already shattered records for burned land.
Fires have destroyed over one million hectares in the EU, exceeding Corsica’s total area.
This area burned is more than four times last year’s total.
EU Fire Statistics
Authorities declared more than 1,800 forest fires, releasing over 38 million tonnes of CO₂.
Among 27 EU nations, only the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and Malta avoided wildfires.
Italy and Romania each reported more than 450 blazes, topping the list.
Damage does not always match fire counts: Cyprus reported three fires, yet they caused severe destruction.
Spain lost over 400,000 hectares, and Portugal saw more than 260,000 hectares destroyed.
These losses equal 0.8% of Spain’s land and 3% of Portugal’s territory.
Preparing for Future Blazes
Held warned that worsening conditions will strain firefighting resources further.
He advised preparing landscapes to increase resilience and protect firefighter safety.
Authorities can reduce vegetation through grazing, clearing, or controlled burns.
Agroforestry systems that mix crops and trees also strengthen fire-prone landscapes.
