Natural fires in the European Union have already destroyed 1 million hectares this year. That is a record, while the year is not over yet and there are still stubborn fires in Spain and Portugal.
An area of 1 million hectares is approximately equal to a quarter of the surface of the Netherlands.
The data on the number of hectares that burns down annually in the European Union is kept by the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). The previous record came from 2017, when 988,528 hectares went up in smoke. Thursday afternoon the counter was 1,015,731 hectares for 2025.
Spain, France, Portugal and Cyprus in particular are being hit hard this year by the fire. In the first weeks of August, the number of fires broken out was much higher there than in average years.
In the north of Spain and Portugal, devastating forest fires are still raging. On Monday, one of the longest heat waves in history came to an end in Spain. The fire brigade slowly but surely gets control over the fire.
Effis has been keeping data on forest fires in Europe since 1998.
Wildfires in the European Union Have Already Burned 1 Million Hectares This Year. That is a record, while the year is not yet about and there are still persistent fires raging in Spain and Portugal.
An area or 1 million hectares is approxroximately Equal to a Quarter of the Surface Area of the Netherlands.
Data on the number of hectares that burn down annually in the European Union is tracked by the European Forest Fire Information System (Effis). The Previous Record was from 2017, When 988.528 hectares Went Up in Smoke. On Thursday Afternoon, The Count for 2025 Stood at 1,015.731 hectares.
Spain, France, Portugal and Cyprus in particular Have Been Hit Hard by the Fire This Year. In The First Weeks of August, The Number of Outbreaks There was much higher than in Average Years.
Devastating Forest Fires Are Still Raging in The North of Spain and Portugal. On Monday, One of the Longest Heat Waves in History Came To An End in Spain. The Fire Brigade is Slowly But Surely Gaining Control over The Fire.
Effis Has Been Keeping Records of Forest Fires in Europe Since 1998.