The European Union is experiencing its most destructive wildfire season on record, with more than one million hectares of land burned so far this year and dangerous concentrations of carbon monoxide linked to the blazes. The milestone, reached on Thursday, marks the first time since records began in 2006 that the area destroyed by flames has surpassed this level.
According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), wildfires have consumed 1,016,000 hectares since January, an area larger than Cyprus and almost a third of Belgium. The previous worst year, 2017, saw just under 988,000 hectares burned. This year’s record has been fuelled by an alarming surge in blazes over the past fortnight, with nearly two-thirds of the total area lost since 5th August.
Spain and Portugal hardest hit
The Iberian Peninsula has borne the brunt of the devastation. Spain has lost more than 400,000 hectares, while neighbouring Portugal has seen over 270,000 hectares destroyed — equivalent to three percent of its entire territory. Spanish government data confirms this is the country’s most severe wildfire season since 1994. In both nations, weeks of extreme heat and drought have left forests tinder-dry, turning vast landscapes into fuel for rapidly spreading fires.
Climate change and human failings
Scientists point to climate change as a key driver of the worsening wildfire threat, with heatwaves and droughts increasing in frequency and intensity across southern Europe. Yet experts also highlight structural issues, including abandoned land and excessive flammable vegetation, which make the Iberian Peninsula particularly vulnerable. This week, Spain’s special prosecutor for environmental issues launched an investigation into the lack of preventive measures and fire management planning.
Environmental toll of wildfire emissions
The impact of the fires extends beyond land and communities. EFFIS data shows the EU is now on course for a potential record in fire-related carbon dioxide emissions, as vast quantities of planet-warming gases are released into the atmosphere.
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Photo: Satellite imagery from the EU’s Copernicus programme shows vast smoke plumes over Spain and Portugal, providing vital data to help emergency crews track and combat Europe’s record-breaking wildfires. Source: Europan Space Agency