A record-breaking wildfire season in Europe has left approximately one million hectares burned, marking this as the worst year on record since 2006. Spain and Portugal have been severely affected, with about 1% of the Iberian Peninsula scorched, according to data from EU scientists. The escalating climate crisis has been cited as a direct cause of the worsening conditions for wildfires, as demonstrated by findings from the World Weather Attribution group at Imperial College London.
The scale of the devastation is staggering, with Spain alone recording over 400,000 hectares burned, more than six times the average for the same period from 2006 to 2024. Portugal has reported a record burn of 270,000 hectares, nearly five times the expected average. In total, the Iberian Peninsula has experienced a staggering 684,000 hectares burned this year, primarily in just two weeks.
Key areas affected include northern Portugal and Spain's regions of Galicia, Asturias, and Castile and León, severely impacting both natural parks and tourist routes on the Camino de Santiago, which typically draws in over 100,000 visitors in summer.
The damage has led to the largest mobilization of the EU civil protection mechanism’s firefighting resources to date, as smoke from these fires has degraded air quality, forcing its effects as far away as France and the UK. The significant carbon emissions from these fires are alarming, with Spain alone producing 17.68 million tonnes of CO2 this year—more than any annual total since satellite monitoring began in 2003, surpassing total emissions of countries like Croatia.
Experts warn that as climate change persists, wildfires will likely become more frequent and severe across Europe. Rural depopulation in regions like Spain and Portugal further contributes to the increasing fire risks. Without managed landscapes and with rising temperatures causing greater flammability, fire management has become an urgent necessity to prevent further environmental degradation.
Notably, while certain species adapt and thrive amidst fires, modern wildfires threaten to disrupt the delicate balance of Mediterranean ecosystems. Research suggests that proactive management of vegetation and fire prevention tactics could mitigate future wildfire risks and preserve long-term ecosystem stability. As the climate continues to warm, the threat of wildfires looms larger, demanding immediate reference and action to protect both people and nature.
The scale of the devastation is staggering, with Spain alone recording over 400,000 hectares burned, more than six times the average for the same period from 2006 to 2024. Portugal has reported a record burn of 270,000 hectares, nearly five times the expected average. In total, the Iberian Peninsula has experienced a staggering 684,000 hectares burned this year, primarily in just two weeks.
Key areas affected include northern Portugal and Spain's regions of Galicia, Asturias, and Castile and León, severely impacting both natural parks and tourist routes on the Camino de Santiago, which typically draws in over 100,000 visitors in summer.
The damage has led to the largest mobilization of the EU civil protection mechanism’s firefighting resources to date, as smoke from these fires has degraded air quality, forcing its effects as far away as France and the UK. The significant carbon emissions from these fires are alarming, with Spain alone producing 17.68 million tonnes of CO2 this year—more than any annual total since satellite monitoring began in 2003, surpassing total emissions of countries like Croatia.
Experts warn that as climate change persists, wildfires will likely become more frequent and severe across Europe. Rural depopulation in regions like Spain and Portugal further contributes to the increasing fire risks. Without managed landscapes and with rising temperatures causing greater flammability, fire management has become an urgent necessity to prevent further environmental degradation.
Notably, while certain species adapt and thrive amidst fires, modern wildfires threaten to disrupt the delicate balance of Mediterranean ecosystems. Research suggests that proactive management of vegetation and fire prevention tactics could mitigate future wildfire risks and preserve long-term ecosystem stability. As the climate continues to warm, the threat of wildfires looms larger, demanding immediate reference and action to protect both people and nature.
