This year, wildfires in European Union countries have reached record levels. According to the latest data, more than 10,000 square kilometers have been destroyed by fire—an area larger than all of Cyprus. The 2025 season has already been recognized as the most devastating in the past two decades.
The situation is especially severe in Spain. Around 4,000 square kilometers of forests and natural areas have burned, which is about 3% of the country’s entire territory. This is the highest figure among all EU countries. By comparison, in Cyprus the fire affected 2.3% of the territory, while in Portugal and Romania, more than a thousand square kilometers have burned in each country.
The Copernicus monitoring system, which tracks fires using satellites, detects about 95% of all such incidents in Europe. Since statistics began in 2006, such a scale of damage has not been seen. This season, Spain has once again found itself in the spotlight due to frequent and intense outbreaks.
Experts note that the main causes of such large-scale fires are prolonged drought, unusually high temperatures, and strong winds. In some regions of the country, especially in Andalucía and the north, the fire spread rapidly, making it difficult for firefighters to work.
The Spanish authorities were forced to mobilize additional resources to combat the disaster. In several cases, military units and aircraft were deployed to fight the fires. Despite these efforts, it is not always possible to fully contain the blazes, and the damage to the ecosystem continues to grow.
The fires have affected not only forests but also agricultural land and nearby settlements. In some areas, residents had to be evacuated to prevent casualties and reduce health risks.
The situation in Spain reflects a broader trend across southern Europe, where climate change is leading to a rise in both the frequency and intensity of natural disasters. Authorities and experts emphasize the need to revise measures for prevention and rapid response to such emergencies.
In the coming months, experts expect the number of fires to continue to rise unless weather conditions change. Issues of forest protection and adaptation to new climate realities are becoming increasingly urgent for Spain and the entire European Union.
