# Global and European wildfire and forest loss trends > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-and-european-wildfire-trends > Updated: 2026-09-05T19:33:12.000Z. Sources: 126. Developments: 6. Global wildfire trends show increasing severity. In Spain, experts report fewer but more intense fires driven by climate change and rural abandonment. To combat this, regions like Castilla y León are investing in advanced surveillance. In France, authorities focus on winter land management, while in Lebanon, wildfire risks are exacerbated by conflict. Research from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and the Senckenberg Society warns that climate change could triple the area ravaged by wildfires in Europe by 2100. The Copernicus Climate Change Service notes that Europe is warming at twice the global average, having already warmed roughly 2.5°C relative to pre-industrial levels. During the 2026 season, the European Union saw over 600,000 hectares burned within the first eight months. While this is a decrease from the record-breaking 2025 season, it remains significantly higher than the 20-year average of approximately 280,000 hectares. Spain continues to be heavily impacted, accounting for 45.6% of the EU's burned area. In Portugal, the burned area marks the fifth highest of the decade. Wildfire risks are expanding into traditionally cooler and wetter regions of Western and Central Europe, including the UK and southern Scandinavia. In Scotland, a mid-July wildfire in the Cairngorms mountains demonstrated this growing vulnerability, as exceptionally dry conditions allowed fire to penetrate dry peat layers, necessitating evacuations in Nethy Bridge. The developing El Niño phenomenon may further exacerbate these risks by influencing temperature and rainfall patterns. ## Claims - Approximately 5.4 million hectares burned in the European Union between mid-June and early September. (disputed by 8 sources) - Over 600,000 hectares have burned in the EU so far this season, making it the third worst season after 2022 and 2025. (disputed by 2 sources) - The total burned area in the EU until September 2 summed 647,375 hectares. (disputed by 2 sources) - Climate change increases fire activity in Europe due to intensifying hot, dry, and windy conditions. (corroborated by 31 sources) - A study suggests climate change could significantly expand the area of vegetation fires in Europe. (corroborated by 30 sources) - Under a 1.8 degree warming scenario, the annual area affected by fires in Europe could increase by 39 percent by the end of the century. (corroborated by 30 sources) - Under a 3.6 degree warming scenario, the annual area affected by fires in Europe could increase by 192 percent. (corroborated by 29 sources) - Central Europe, Western Europe, and the Mediterranean region are expected to be particularly affected by increased fire areas. (corroborated by 29 sources) - Land use, prevention, and early detection are significant factors in determining fire area alongside climate change. (corroborated by 26 sources) - Improved fire management could reduce burned areas by 92% in a 1.8°C warming scenario. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The Earth is on track for approximately 2.8°C of warming by the end of the century. (corroborated by 15 sources) - A single fire in the Spanish province of Ávila burned more than 42,000 hectares on July 22. (corroborated by 7 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-05: Europe faces expanding wildfire risks due to climate change Climate change and El Niño are driving increased wildfire risks across Europe, with over 600,000 hectares burned in the EU so far in 2026, including significant blazes in Scotland's Cairngorms. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/europe-faces-expanding-wildfire-risks-due-to-climate-change ### 2026-09-03: Europe Wildfire Update: Spain accounts for 45% of EU burned area Wildfires in 2026 have burned over 647,000 hectares in the EU, with Spain accounting for 45.6% of the total. Portugal also reports its fifth-highest burned area of the decade despite a drop from 2025. 30 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-union-wildfire-damage-decreases-by-35-compared-to-2025 ### 2026-08-24: Europe wildfire risks projected to rise significantly by end of century European wildfire-affected areas could increase by 192% by century's end due to high emissions, though improved management and lower warming could reduce this impact by up to 92%. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/europe-wildfire-risks-projected-to-rise-significantly-by-end-of-century ### 2026-08-22: Europe forest fire areas could triple due to climate change A study warns that European forest fire areas could triple by 2100 under high-emission scenarios, despite fire management efforts that could mitigate increases by over 70 percent. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/climate-change-could-triple-europes-forest-fire-area ### 2026-08-20: Europe forest fire areas could triple due to climate change A new study warns that climate change could increase Europe's annual burned area by 39% to 192% by 2100, depending on global warming levels, though improved fire management could significantly mitigate the risk 81 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/europe-wildfire-area-could-triple-due-to-climate-change ### 2026-08-16: Global wildfire trends show increasing severity and devastation Global wildfire trends show a rise in devastating, large-scale fires driven by climate change and human activity, with specific regional crises reported in Spain, France, and Lebanon. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/forest-fire-prevention-focuses-on-management-and-surveillance --- Cite as: Global and European wildfire and forest loss trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-and-european-wildfire-trends