Forest fire risk in Turkey and Greece

In late July 2026, Turkish experts warned that the country’s forest‑fire season could become severe despite an unusually wet spring. They noted that 88 % of Turkey’s fires are human‑caused and highlighted the risk of rapid drying of abundant grass growth as summer heat returns, with El Niño potentially extending fire danger into 2027.

A few days later, Greek scientists reported that heavy rain on 25 July sharply lowered the moisture content of dead vegetation, reducing forest‑fuel flammability across Greece. While the rainfall provided a short‑term drop in fire risk, researchers cautioned that rising temperatures in the coming days could raise flammability again, underscoring the need for ongoing monitoring.

Together, the snapshots show a region where wet conditions temporarily ease fire danger in Greece, while Turkey remains on alert for a high‑risk summer fire season driven by human activity and climatic factors.