Experts link hotter temperatures and lower rainfall to worsening forest fires across Europe.
The 2025 wildfire season has already destroyed more land than any previous year.
Firefighters report over one million hectares burnt in the EU, surpassing the size of Corsica.
This total exceeds four times last year’s burned area.
Fire Numbers and Carbon Emissions
Authorities have declared over 1,800 forest fires, releasing more than 38 million tonnes of CO₂.
Among EU nations, only the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and Malta avoided fires.
Italy and Romania each recorded more than 450 blazes, topping the list.
Cyprus reported just three fires, but they caused severe damage.
Spain lost over 400,000 hectares, and Portugal saw 260,000 hectares destroyed, equivalent to 3% and 0.8% of their land.
Fighting Fires and Preparing Landscapes
Held warns that worsening conditions will strain firefighting resources in the coming years.
He urges preparing landscapes to increase resilience and allow safe, efficient firefighting.
Crews can reduce fuel through clearing, controlled burning, or grazing.
Agroforestry systems that combine crops and trees offer another strategy to limit wildfire impact.
