- Wildfires have swept across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa
- The Joint Research Centre (JRC) shows that 2,242,195 hectares of land were burned last year
- That’s a 20 per cent increase on 2024 and around two and a half times higher than in 2023
Wildfires have swept across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa in 2025 with growing intensity, as new figures have revealed that there was not only a sharp rise in environmental damage but also in the increasing pressure on fire prevention and response systems.
An advanced report from the Joint Research Centre (JRC) shows that 2,242,195 hectares of land were burned last year – a 20 per cent increase on 2024 and around two and a half times higher than in 2023.
In total, 23,180 fires were recorded across the regions, and the real damage has been easy to see.
From scorched farmland and damaged homes to evacuations and long, uncertain recoveries for affected communities, the report shows the realities of what a rise in fires looks like.
Experts say the rise is being compounded by a combination of environmental as well as human factors, particularly in parts of the Middle East.
For example, prolonged heatwaves, drought and record-breaking temperatures have left vegetation extremely dry, while strong winds have helped fires spread rapidly once they begin.
At the same time, human activity, including agricultural burning, infrastructure faults and limited fire management in some areas, has increased the likelihood of ignition.
In regions affected by conflict or stretched resources, responding quickly can be difficult, allowing fires to grow unchecked.
At the same time, governments and authorities are beginning to rethink how fire risk is managed.
In Abu Dhabi, officials have introduced 54 amendments to the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code, aiming to make regulations more flexible while also supporting more sustainable building design.
The updates are intended to align more closely with international standards while refining practical elements such as evacuation planning, fire protection systems and building requirements.
However, concerns remain about whether fire and rescue services are fully prepared for the scale and complexity of today’s incidents. Recent reporting has pointed to gaps in preparedness, including inconsistencies in evacuation guidance and communication.
In the UK, new evacuation rules linked to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry are being introduced, yet some services are still working to fully implement them.
Experts around the world warn that inconsistencies like this could come under increasing international scrutiny, particularly as countries look to one another when shaping their own fire safety systems.
The data behind the wildfire figures comes from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), part of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service, which provides near real-time monitoring and helps authorities respond more effectively.
Published in early 2026, the report offers an initial but comprehensive look at the 2025 wildfire season, comparing fire danger levels with historical trends and showing how closely they are now tied to shifting climate conditions.
While a fuller analysis will follow later this year, the message from this early assessment is showing just a snapshot of growing issues.
Wildfires are becoming more frequent, more intense and harder to control.
For many communities, that reality is something they are living through year after year.
