Experts blame rising temperatures and declining rainfall for worsening Europe’s forest fires.
The 2025 wildfire season has already shattered records for land destroyed.
Firefighters report over one million hectares burned across the EU, surpassing the size of Corsica.
This year’s total exceeds last year’s burned area by more than four times.
Fire Counts and Carbon Emissions
Authorities confirmed over 1,800 forest fires, releasing more than 38 million tonnes of CO₂.
Among 27 EU nations, only the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and Malta avoided fires.
Italy and Romania topped the list with more than 450 blazes each.
Cyprus recorded just three fires, but each caused severe destruction.
Spain lost more than 400,000 hectares, and Portugal burned over 260,000 hectares.
These losses equal 0.8% of Spain’s land and 3% of Portugal’s territory.
Straining Firefighting Resources
Held warned worsening conditions will push fire crews to their limits.
He urged officials to prepare landscapes to improve resilience and protect firefighters.
Authorities can reduce vegetation through clearing, grazing, or controlled burns.
Agroforestry combining crops and trees offers another method to strengthen ecosystems and reduce fire risks.
