Experts link hotter temperatures and drier conditions to worsening forest fires across Europe.
The 2025 wildfire season has already shattered previous records for burned land.
Europe Burns
Fires have destroyed over one million hectares in the EU, surpassing Corsica’s total area.
This year’s burned area exceeds last year’s by more than four times.
Authorities have declared over 1,800 forest fires, releasing 38 million tonnes of CO₂.
Country Reports
Among EU nations, only the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and Malta avoided wildfires.
Italy and Romania recorded more than 450 fires each, topping the list.
Cyprus reported only three fires, but they caused devastating damage.
Spain burned over 400,000 hectares, while Portugal lost more than 260,000 hectares.
That equals 3% of Portugal’s land and 0.8% of Spain’s territory.
Firefighting Faces Pressure
Held warned worsening conditions will strain firefighting resources and systems.
He urged preparing landscapes to increase resilience and protect crews.
Crews can reduce vegetation through clearing, grazing, or controlled burns.
Agroforestry, combining crops and trees, provides another method to strengthen landscapes.
