Europe Faces Record Forest Fire Risk as Drought Spreads Across dozens of Countries

The Copernicus Emergency Management Service reports that more than 155,000 hectares have burned in the EU since the start of the year, with 1,057 significant forest‑fire incidents detected so far. The fires have released an estimated 6.49 million tonnes of CO₂, adding to greenhouse‑gas concentrations.

Satellite data show the highest fire danger in France, southern United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and the northern Iberian Peninsula, while Hungary and Romania are also listed among the most threatened regions. Experts note that climate‑change‑driven heatwaves and prolonged dryness have shifted the fire season northward, exposing central‑ and western‑European forests to unprecedented risk.

The situation is expected to worsen in the coming days, with forecasts warning of continued extreme fire‑danger ratings across the same areas.