Europe lives a year out of bounds with fires. Since January 2025, fires have burned more than 10 million acres, ie 10,157 km², in its countries European Union. This is an absolute record since the launch of statistics in 2006, according to European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) data.
In less than eight months, the 2017 (9.88 million acres per year) was exceeded in the European Union. Spain is by far the most affected country by fires: more than 4 million acres have become ash, ie 40% of the total, with four dead already registered.
The situation is just as dramatic in Portugal, with nearly 2.74 million acres burned and three dead, while Romania exceeds 1.26 million acres. In France, 356,000 acres were destroyed, mainly in Od, hit by a huge fire in early August.
Record throughout Europe
Four EU countries – Spain, Cyprus, Germany and Slovakia – have already surpassed their annual record in the last 20 years. Outside the EU, Britain is also experiencing its worst year, with fires in spring that intensified due to a premature heat. In the Balkans, Serbia has also recorded its worst year since data is respected.
The fires of 2025 have already caused the deaths of at least ten people: two in Cyprus, one in France and seven in the Iberian peninsula. But the consequences go beyond human loss. The fires have released 35 Co₂ megatons since January, unprecedented level for this period. The record of the 41 megatons in 2017 may be overcome.
In 2017, more than 200 people died in fires in Europe, mainly in Portugal, Spain, Italy and France. If the current trend continues, in 2025 it could turn into the worst year ever recorded for Epirus.