The European Union is experiencing its worst wildfire season in nearly two decades, with more than one million hectares of forests destroyed so far in 2025 — an area larger than Cyprus or one-third the size of Belgium.
Record-Breaking Destruction
According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), wildfires have scorched 1,016,000 hectares across the EU this year. The last time destruction reached this scale was in 2006.
Nearly two-thirds of the burned area occurred after August 5, when the total stood at 380,000 hectares.
Spain and Portugal Hit the Hardest
The Iberian Peninsula has been the epicenter of the disaster:
- Spain: More than 400,000 hectares have burned, marking the country’s worst fire season since 1994.
- Portugal: Over 270,000 hectares have been destroyed — equal to 3% of the nation’s territory.
Both countries are battling extended heatwaves, with climate change intensifying the frequency and severity of wildfires across southern Europe.
Climate Impact and Emissions
In addition to devastating landscapes, the fires have released massive amounts of carbon dioxide, potentially setting a new record for fire-related pollution in the EU.
Experts warn that worsening climate patterns could make such extreme wildfire seasons increasingly common in the future.
