Europe sees over 2 million acres burned in 2025, worst year since 2006
More than two million acres of land have been scorched across Europe so far in 2025, making it the worst wildfire season on record since 2006, according to the latest figures released by the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) on Tuesday.
The relentless heatwave gripping the continent has fueled massive blazes, driving the total burned area to over one million hectares (2.47 million acres). August alone accounted for the sharpest rise, with Spain and Portugal among the hardest-hit nations.
In Spain, wildfires surged dramatically this month, destroying around 400,000 hectares (988,000 acres). Portugal has also been devastated, with roughly 270,000 hectares (668,000 acres) lost to the flames—most of it during the recent heatwave.
EFFIS data further reveals the environmental toll: Europe’s wildfire-driven carbon dioxide emissions have climbed to 38 million tons, intensifying concerns over climate impacts.
