Published on
August 30, 2025
Spain has joined Portugal, France, Cyprus, and Italy in fueling the escalating climate crisis as Europe grapples with new record-breaking heatwaves and widespread destruction. The summer of 2025 marked an unprecedented wildfire season across the continent, with ferocious blazes sweeping through Southern Europe. These catastrophic fires not only devastated vast regions but also served as a stark reminder of the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events triggered by climate change. From the Iberian Peninsula to the Mediterranean coasts, the fires have left a trail of devastation, further exacerbating the environmental challenges faced by these nations.
The summer of 2025 will be remembered as the season when Europe learned that the “age of non‑tourism” is not a distant scenario but a present reality. Blazes erupted from the Iberian Peninsula to the Aegean and from the Balkans to Northern Europe. By late August more than one million hectares of land had burned across the European Union, releasing ~37 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and surpassing any European fire season since 2006. Spain alone, the continent’s worst‑hit member state, lost over 400,000 ha and accounted for almost 40 % of the EU total, while Portugal and Romania each burned hundreds of thousands of hectares. The burden was not just ecological; at least ten people died across the EU, thousands were evacuated and smoke pollution carried across borders, contributing to the 111,000 premature deaths that European health authorities estimate are caused each year by wildfire smoke.
These fires did not appear out of nowhere. The 2025 season was shaped by extreme meteorological events—heatwaves, droughts and high winds—that scientists attribute to human‑driven climate change. Many blazes were kindled by human activities such as agricultural burning, discarded cigarettes or deliberate arson, and in some cases the combination of heat, wind and accumulated fuels allowed fires to swell to sizes that local fire services had never confronted. This report synthesizes information from news reports, scientific briefings and government statements to describe the major wildfires that ravaged EU member states in 2025, the causes and catalysts behind them, their impacts and after‑effects, and the broader lessons they offer about climate resilience and tourism in a warming world.
The climatic and human drivers of Europe’s 2025
The European fire season used to be confined to summer and early autumn, but in 2025 the first destructive fires erupted as early as March. In Romania, for example, fires spread across 13 counties in early March, killing two people and injuring two others while burning more than 4,000 ha of dry grass and forest. The blazes were fed by unusually warm weather that dried vegetation weeks earlier than normal and by strong winds that fanned flames across hillsides. The fires continued to rage in counties such as Caraș‑Severin and Vâlcea until mid‑month.
As the calendar turned to summer, a series of heatwaves gripped the Mediterranean and central Europe. Temperatures surged above 40 °C in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Croatia, drying out soils and turning forests into tinderboxes. In some areas, such as France’s Aude department, the heat coincided with strong Mediterranean winds (the Tramontane) that drove flames along the slopes at speeds that overwhelmed firefighters, helping to create France’s largest fire in half a century. Even countries like Germany, which typically experience milder summers, saw widespread fire danger due to prolonged drought in regions such as Brandenburg and Saxony, prompting authorities to warn of “very high” or “extreme” fire risk.
Human ignition and land management
Although climatic conditions prepared the stage, most 2025 fires began through human actions. Investigations into a catastrophic July wildfire in Cyprus found that a carelessly discarded cigarette ignited grass amid strong winds and low humidity, leading to a blaze that killed an elderly couple and destroyed 700 structures over 100 km. In Italy, authorities investigated several fires around Mount Vesuvius for arson after mayors noted multiple ignition points and a history of the eco‑mafia using fire to clear land for illegal development. In Spain’s Castile and León region, police arrested a firefighter suspected of deliberately starting fires to secure employment during the season. Agricultural burning and the use of outdated equipment during heatwaves sparked many smaller blazes that later merged into larger fronts.
Poor forest management also contributed. Decades of fire suppression have allowed vegetation and dead wood to accumulate, creating abundant fuel. Researchers note that preventive management—clearing underbrush and reintroducing controlled burns—has been under‑funded. In Greece, where 82 new fires erupted in a single day, officials admitted that around 70 % of resources are spent on suppression and only 30 % on prevention, leaving landscapes overgrown and prone to catastrophic fires. Climate change, land abandonment and rural depopulation have exacerbated the problem across southern Europe, enabling forests to encroach on former pastures and grow dense and continuous, connecting communities to flammable wildlands.
A warming world amplifies fire intensity
Recent scientific assessments suggest that climate change is intensifying Mediterranean fires beyond historical norms. World Weather Attribution analyses found that the heat and dryness that fuelled the 2025 fires in Turkey, Greece and Cyprus were 22 % more intense because of human‑driven climate change, contributing to over 80,000 evacuations and 20 deaths across the region. Because warmer air can hold more moisture, heatwaves desiccate vegetation more quickly and create conditions for crown fires that jump from treetop to treetop. Fire researchers warn that unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced rapidly, Mediterranean countries could experience 30‑day fire seasons every summer, with some years witnessing fire weather conditions for more than half the year.
Spain – epicentre of Europe’s blaze
No country experienced 2025’s fire season more brutally than Spain. By late August, the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) estimated that over 400,000 hectares had burned in Spain—roughly equivalent to 4,000 square kilometres—representing nearly 40 % of the EU’s total burned area. At least four people died, hundreds were injured and tens of thousands were evacuated. The fires released thick plumes of smoke that drifted across Iberia, closing roads and railways and disrupting tourism in the country’s famed holiday regions.
Major incidents and places
Mid‑August inferno and the Iberian Peninsula – On 15 August a massive plume of smoke could be seen from space rising over the Iberian Peninsula. NASA’s Earth Observatory reported that by 19 August Spain had burned more than 382,000 hectares since the start of the year and Portugal more than 347,000 ha, with ten large fires raging in Portugal’s north. In Spain, fires swept across Galicia, Asturias, Castile and León and Andalusia. The largest front forced the closure of the Madrid–Galicia high‑speed rail line, stranding travellers and prompting thousands to flee nearby towns.
Tarifa and the threat to Las Médulas – The Atlantic winds funnelled flames towards the Strait of Gibraltar, where a fire near Tarifa forced 2,000 people to evacuate and temporarily closed the coastal highway; the blaze was contained with the help of 20 aircraft and hundreds of firefighters. Further north, the ancient Roman gold mines of Las Médulas, a UNESCO world heritage site in León province, came dangerously close to burning; authorities evacuated around 700 people and used helicopters to dump water on the steep red cliffs. The site survived, but the incident underscored the vulnerability of cultural heritage to wildfire.
Castile and León multiple fronts – In early August, the region of Castile and León battled 32 active wildfires simultaneously. Over 1,200 firefighters supported by 16 aircraft were deployed, yet villages such as Orense and Caridade suffered destruction. One man died near Madrid when trying to protect his property from flames, and the mayor of Valladolid lamented that people were being “cooked alive” by heat and smoke. Authorities arrested a firefighter accused of intentionally setting fires for financial gain, highlighting the human dimension of some blazes.
Canary Islands and Balearics – Offshore archipelagos were not spared. Fires erupted on Gran Canaria and Tenerife, forcing evacuations and closing roads. In the Balearics, dry vegetation and strong winds ignited fires in Mallorca’s Serra de Tramuntana, though swift action by local authorities prevented catastrophic spread. The events emphasised that even island ecosystems—often seen as refuge—are vulnerable under extreme weather conditions.
Causes
Spain’s fires were amplified by a persistent heatwave across southern Europe. Temperatures exceeded 40 °C in many regions, parching forests and scrublands. Winds from the Atlantic and the Sahara varied the fire behaviour: on some days hot, dry Saharan winds delivered desert heat; on others, humid Atlantic winds fed convective fronts that created towering smoke columns and erratic winds. Land management practices also played a role; large areas of rural Spain have been abandoned due to urbanisation, allowing fuel loads to accumulate, while the growth of eucalyptus and pine plantations, which are resin‑rich and flammable, increased fire intensity.
Results and after‑effects
The after‑effects of Spain’s 2025 fires are far‑reaching. Ecologically, the loss of half a million hectares of forest and shrubland will reduce carbon sequestration capacity and increase soil erosion. The fires destroyed olive groves, vineyards and pasture, jeopardising rural livelihoods. Smoke from the fires covered much of Iberia and drifted into France and Italy, exacerbating respiratory illnesses. The tragedy also spurred debate within Spain about climate adaptation; policymakers pledged to increase investment in forest management and early warning systems, while communities called for better rural economic support to reduce land abandonment.
Economically, the fires deterred holidaymakers from popular regions such as Andalusia and Galicia at the height of the tourism season. The Guardian observed that many potential travellers felt “tourism guilt” or decided to holiday domestically due to concerns about flying and contributing to climate change. The damage to infrastructure, including the temporary closure of rail lines and highways, produced additional losses. Yet the collective response also fostered solidarity across Europe; firefighting aircraft and personnel from other EU nations arrived under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, and communities across the continent donated funds and supplies to help Spanish municipalities rebuild.
Portugal – Trancoso’s blaze and the north ablaze
Portugal experienced its worst fire season since 2006. By 19 August the country had lost over 347,000 hectares of land to wildfire. A separate ReliefWeb bulletin reported that by 21 August the burned area had reached 894,770 ha, an extraordinary figure that likely includes multiple counting of overlapping fires but nevertheless underscores the scale of destruction; three deaths and 15 injuries were recorded. The fires were concentrated in the mountainous north and centre, where pine and eucalyptus forests provided abundant fuel.
Trancoso: Portugal’s largest fire of 2025
Portugal’s most devastating wildfire ignited near Trancoso on 15 August. The blaze quickly consumed 39,000 hectares and threatened the towns of Trancoso and Meda. Nearly 700 firefighters and 11 aerial units battled the flames for days, while tens of thousands of residents sought refuge in gymnasiums and relatives’ homes. The fire destroyed homes and farms, killed livestock and forced authorities to temporarily shut the A25 highway. It was eventually contained with the help of cooler nights and assistance from Spanish water‑bombing aircraft.
Other significant fires
Guarda and Coimbra districts – In the northern districts of Guarda and Coimbra, multiple fires ravaged forests and farmland. ReliefWeb reported that by 19 August these fires had left three people dead, 15 injured and over 2,800 firefighters engaged in operations. The government activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism on 15 August, requesting aerial support. European partners responded quickly: France, Spain, Croatia and Italy sent water‑bombing planes, while the Czech Republic and Slovakia deployed helicopters. The Portuguese government also mobilised the military, and volunteers from across the country joined the effort.
Central Portugal – Fires flared in Castelo Branco, Leiria, Viseu and Portalegre, areas that burned heavily in previous decades. Many of these fires were blamed on agricultural burns that went out of control or sparks from machinery. The combination of steep terrain, fast‑spreading eucalypt plantations and strong winds made suppression difficult.
Causes, results and after‑effects
Portugal’s 2025 fires were driven by the same heatwave affecting Spain, with temperatures above 40 °C and humidity below 20 %. Decades of rural depopulation have left land unmanaged, allowing fire‑prone shrubs and trees to dominate. Arson also played a role; authorities arrested several individuals for igniting fires to clear land or to create job opportunities. The large number of smallholdings and patchy land ownership impeded landscape‑scale management.
The fires damaged homes, wineries, cork oak forests and historic villages. On a human level, there was grief and anger: families mourned those who died, and farmers faced months of hardship as they rebuilt fences and barns. Economically, the fires disrupted the tourism industry in the north, particularly in wine regions such as the Douro Valley, where heavy smoke and road closures discouraged visitors. The Portuguese government promised compensation and committed to accelerate forest reform, including creating “fire‑resilient landscapes” with diversified species and fuel breaks.
Italy – from Sicily to Vesuvius
Overall season
Italy endured over 800 wildfires by 31 July, burning more than 56,000 hectares—an area equivalent to almost 80,000 football pitches. By mid‑August the tally had risen further, with the National Fire Service recording approximately 700 wildfires between January and July, burning 320 km², including 175 km² in Sicily and 102 km² in Calabria. These numbers already exceeded the total burned area in all of 2024 and underscored that Italy’s fire season is no longer confined to summer.
Sicily and Calabria
Southern Italy was the epicentre of the fire season. Sicily recorded the largest burnt area, with blazes near Palermo, Messina and the Nebrodi mountains. These fires destroyed olive groves and citrus orchards, threatened archaeological sites and forced evacuations of coastal towns. In Calabria, hillside fires raged near Cosenza and Reggio Calabria, destroying houses and causing road closures. In both regions, authorities suspected arson, partly linked to the eco‑mafia seeking to clear land for development or disposal of illegal waste, as well as traditional agricultural burning gone wrong.
The Mount Vesuvius fire
The most widely reported Italian blaze erupted on 6 August on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius near Naples. Strong winds and extreme heat spread flames through the Terzigno pine forest, across the national park and into the municipalities of Ottaviano, San Giuseppe Vesuviano and Trecase. By 9 August, Euronews reported that the fire had burned about 200 hectares and required over 100 firefighters and volunteers, support from the army and the National Civil Protection, and six Canadair water‑bombing aircraft. The blaze later expanded to around 500 hectares; firefighters closed all hiking trails and used drones to monitor its spread The Guardian described flames 3 km wide, killing wild animals and threatening the tourist‑crowded crater trails.
Italy’s fires were the result of a potent mix: temperatures exceeding 45 °C, prolonged drought and strong winds. Sociologists also point to a shortage of land maintenance: many forests and fields are unmanaged due to rural depopulation. The eco‑mafia has been implicated in deliberately setting fires to free land for illegal building or waste dumping. The Mount Vesuvius blaze may have had multiple ignition points, fuelling suspicion of arson.
The after‑effects included closure of the national park’s trails, losses to local businesses dependent on summer tourism and the destruction of centuries‑old pine forests. Authorities worried about soil erosion on the volcano’s slopes, which could cause landslides during autumn rains. The fires also heightened public awareness about wildfire risk in Italy and spurred calls for greater funding for land management and stronger enforcement against arsonists.
France – Aude’s unprecedented inferno
France’s wildfire season culminated in an unprecedented blaze in the Corbières hills of the Aude department in south‑western France. The fire ignited on 5 August near the village of Ribaute and, fuelled by hot, dry winds (the Tramontane), scorched approximately 16,000 hectares by 6 August, an area roughly the size of Paris. The NASA Earth Observatory described the fire as France’s second‑largest in 50 years. The blaze forced the evacuation of 15 municipalities, injured more than a dozen people—including firefighters—and destroyed dozens of homes in towns such as Tournissan, Coustouge, Saint‑Laurent‑de‑la‑Cabrerisse and Jonquières. One woman died, nine people were hospitalised and at least 25 homes were damaged or destroyed.
France’s environment minister noted that the fire burned as much land in 24 hours as typically burns across France in an entire year, illustrating how climate change is stretching the country’s firefighting capacities. By 7 August the blaze was contained with the help of cooler weather and a massive mobilisation of more than 1,500 firefighters. However, the scarred landscape of garrigue and vineyards will take years to recover. The economic impacts include damage to wine grapes and the destruction of rural tourism infrastructure; the event also spurred debates in France about the need to adapt to a “new normal” of more frequent large fires and to reconsider land‑use planning in fire‑prone areas.
Greece – multiple fronts and systemic challenges
Southern Attica and Western Greece
In early August, Greece experienced a flare‑up of fires across the Attica region and Western Greece. In Keratea in East Attica a fire that began on 8 August burned through scrubland and pine forests, killing one person and forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate. According to the EU’s emergency response agency, some 190 firefighters, 44 vehicles, 11 aircraft and 13 helicopters battled the blaze. Simultaneously, fires in Hrakleia, Lajoi, Grammatikos and Pournari (in Western Greece) destroyed homes and farmland; Copernicus satellite maps indicated 1,580 ha burned in Keratea and 795 ha in Hrakleia. The civil protection agency declared high or extreme fire danger across much of the country and requested assistance from other EU states.
Worst day: 82 fires in 24 hours
The crisis peaked on 12 August, when Greece recorded 82 new wildfires in a single day. Thousands of firefighters and volunteers—around 5,000 people—worked alongside 33 aircraft and helicopters to fight blazes in Achaia, Preveza, Epirus, Zakynthos and Chios. Houses and businesses were destroyed; on Chios the flames burned caravans and houses, sending families fleeing to beaches. At least three firefighters were hospitalised for burns and smoke inhalation. The wildfires underscored long‑standing structural problems in Greece’s fire management: heavy emphasis on suppression but little investment in preventive measures and landscape management. Experts noted that more than 1,050 fires had been registered since June, illustrating the country’s vulnerability under climate change.
Causes and consequences
Greece’s fires resulted from prolonged drought, heatwaves and strong winds from the Meltemi (northerly Aegean winds). The presence of flammable pine forests around many villages made communities vulnerable. Human factors included illegal land clearing, agricultural burning and occasional negligence. The 2025 season highlighted the need for improved early warning systems, better coordination between national and municipal authorities and greater community engagement in fuel reduction. Economically, the fires damaged agricultural lands, tourism facilities and power lines, leading to blackouts. Smoke from Greek fires drifted into neighbouring countries, demonstrating the transboundary nature of wildfire impacts.
Croatia – Dalmatian coast under threat
Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, a magnet for summer tourists, endured multiple fires during the August heatwave. A significant blaze ignited on 11 August near Jesenice, east of Split. About 150 firefighters and 50 vehicles battled the fire on scrubland and hills, supported by three Canadair water‑bombing planes. The flames forced authorities to close part of the D8 coastal road between Mutogras and Omis, diverting vehicles inland. With temperatures above 40 °C, authorities warned residents to avoid open flames; the region’s karstic terrain and strong bura winds complicated firefighting. Croatia requested European assistance, and by mid‑August aircraft from Italy and Slovakia were operating from Zadar. Although no lives were lost, the fires caused damage to olive groves and holiday homes, and the smoke deterred tourists, compounding economic losses in a region reliant on summer visitors.
Bulgaria – simultaneous fires across villages
In late July, Bulgaria suffered widespread wildfires across the south‑west and central regions, prompting it to request help from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. ReliefWeb’s daily flash of 28 July reported fires that burned houses in Simitli and the Miloslavska mountain range; destroyed 25 houses and forced the evacuation of three villages in Rani Lug; and consumed more homes in Kozarevo. On 26 July Bulgaria activated the EU mechanism, and rescEU deployed firefighting aircraft from Czechia, Slovakia, France, Sweden, Romania and Hungary. The Copernicus emergency management service mapped the fires, and national meteorological services forecast high to very high fire danger for subsequent days. The sequence of blazes underscored that even countries with moderate climates can face severe fire seasons when drought and heat coincide.
Romania – early start and tragic toll
Romania’s experience illustrates how fire seasons are lengthening beyond summer. In early March the country witnessed wildfires across 13 counties, killing two people (a 67‑year‑old woman in Maramureș and a 78‑year‑old man in Vâlcea). Two others, including a firefighter in Caraș‑Severin, were injured while battling flames. In total, the fires burned over 4,000 hectares of dry vegetation and forest before they were contained. By late August, EFFIS data showed that Romania had lost approximately 126,000 hectares, making 2025 one of its worst seasons. The early start of the season highlights changing climate patterns in the Carpathians and the need for year‑round preparedness.
Cyprus – tragic July wildfire
Cyprus endured one of its most devastating fires in decades in early July. Near Limassol, a blaze driven by strong winds and temperatures around 39 °C spread rapidly through dense scrub and pine. Investigators later determined that the fire was sparked by a carelessly discarded cigarette. The flames scorched over 100 km² (10,000 hectares), destroyed 700 structures and killed two elderly people trapped in their home. More than 250 firefighters and 14 aircraft fought the fire, which was eventually contained after several days. The event led Cyprus to review its fire safety regulations and highlighted the vulnerability of island nations to climate‑driven disasters. The study by World Weather Attribution concluded that climate change made such fires 22 % more intense, and across the broader region (Turkey, Greece and Cyprus) the 2025 fires killed 20 people, forced 80,000 to evacuate and burned 10,000 km².
Germany – dry forests and explosive hazards
Even Northern European countries experienced unusual fire activity. On 4 July the EU’s emergency service reported wildfires in Germany’s Saxony, Brandenburg, Saxony‑Anhalt and Thuringia regions. Two people were injured and over 100 residents were evacuated from villages in Meißen county, where authorities declared a state of emergency. Approximately 500 firefighters battled the blazes, which were complicated by the presence of unexploded ordnance on a former military training ground, making aerial drops risky. The fires demonstrated how even heavily industrialised EU states are vulnerable when drought and heat combine. Germany responded by closing public forests and limiting access to nature reserves, and meteorologists warned of high fire danger for days. The event also revived discussions about clearing unexploded ordnance from former military sites to reduce risks to firefighters.
EU‑wide statistics and countries spared
By 21 August, EFFIS statistics compiled by agencies such as AFP and phys.org showed that EU wildfires had burned 1,015,731 hectares—an area larger than Lebanon—releasing 37 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. Some 1,800 forest fires were recorded, and only five EU member states—Czechia, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Malta—reported no major wildfires. Beyond the countries already detailed, Slovakia and Germany experienced their worst wildfire seasons in two decades. Italy and Romania each recorded more than 450 wildfires, while Cyprus counted multiple deadly events. In addition to direct impacts, the fires emitted millions of tonnes of smoke, worsening air quality across Europe and causing traffic disruptions.
The EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism was activated 16 times by mid‑August 2025—matching the total number of activations for all of 2024. Countries such as Spain, Portugal, Greece, Bulgaria, Albania and Montenegro all requested assistance. RescEU assets, including firefighting planes and helicopters from Czechia, Sweden, Slovakia, Croatia, Italy and others, were mobilised. The rapid deployment underscored both the severity of the season and the growing importance of EU solidarity in responding to climate‑fueled disasters. It also raised questions about whether Europe has sufficient aircraft and personnel to cope with multiple simultaneous mega‑fires.
After‑effects: public health, economy and culture
Health impacts
Beyond the immediate fatalities and injuries, the 2025 fires had profound health impacts. Smoke from wildfires is rich in fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which penetrates deep into lungs and the bloodstream. Public health agencies warned that exposure to smoke increases risk of asthma, heart attacks and premature death. The Guardian noted that wildfire smoke already causes 111,000 premature deaths per year in Europe, and heavy smoke in 2025 exacerbated respiratory illnesses, particularly among children and the elderly.
Hospitals in Spain, Portugal and Italy saw surges in patients with smoke‑related ailments. In Greece and Bulgaria, authorities opened air‑conditioned shelters for vulnerable populations. Some tourists cancelled trips due to air quality warnings, while others were stranded in hotels as roads were closed. Air pollution also threatened agricultural workers who continued to harvest crops despite the smoke, underscoring the intersection of occupational health and climate disasters.
Economic repercussions and tourism
The fires struck at the height of Europe’s tourist season. Flights and ferries were disrupted, highways closed and attractions such as Mount Vesuvius, national parks and world heritage sites were temporarily shut. Regions such as Andalusia and Catalonia in Spain, Trancoso and the Douro Valley in Portugal, the Greek islands of Zakynthos and Chios, and France’s Languedoc saw cancellations and a decline in tourist numbers. Meanwhile, the concept of “coolcations”—holidays in cooler climates—gained popularity as travellers sought to avoid heat and fire hazards.
Local economies reliant on seasonal visitors suffered revenue losses from hotels, restaurants and tour companies. Many communities launched crowdfunding campaigns to rebuild destroyed infrastructure. Some tourism boards emphasised that unaffected areas remained open and safe, but the overall perception of southern Europe as a high‑risk destination may encourage more domestic or northern European travel in future summers.
Cultural and ecological heritage
Europe’s 2025 fires threatened not only contemporary communities but also cultural heritage. The near‑disaster at Las Médulas in Spain underscored the vulnerability of archaeological sites carved into flammable landscapes. In Italy, smoke from the Vesuvius fire was visible from Pompeii, raising concerns about damage to the ancient ruins. In France’s Aude, some Romanesque churches and centuries‑old vineyards narrowly escaped destruction. The fires also killed wildlife, including deer, boar, birds and insects that form part of Europe’s natural heritage.
Ecologically, the loss of forest cover reduces biodiversity and increases the risk of erosion and mudslides, particularly on steep slopes such as those of Vesuvius or the Portuguese Serra da Estrela. Post‑fire rain can wash ash and soil into rivers, affecting water quality and fish habitat. Some species, such as cork oaks and Mediterranean pines, are adapted to fire and will regenerate, but the frequency and intensity of modern fires may exceed their resilience.
Lessons and the path forward
Reinforcing prevention and adaptation
The 2025 wildfire season exposed weaknesses in Europe’s approach to wildfire management. Experts argue that shifting resources towards prevention, such as controlled burns, mechanical thinning and community education, can reduce fuel loads and mitigate fire severity. Greece’s admission that it spends about 70 % of its fire budget on suppression and only 30 % on prevention illustrates a common imbalance. France and Spain have begun to invest in mosaic landscapes—mixing forest, pasture and cropland—to slow fire spread, but implementation is uneven. Italy is considering stronger penalties for arson and improved land registration to discourage illegal burning.
Climate action and international cooperation
While improved land management can mitigate risk, scientists emphasise that reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains essential to preventing ever more extreme fire seasons. The 2025 fires occurred under 1.2 °C of global warming; some models project that the Mediterranean could warm by 2 °C within decades, with correspondingly longer and more intense fire seasons. Europe’s wildfire crisis is therefore a symptom of the broader climate emergency. As the Guardian’s Down to Earth newsletter argued, the dilemma facing holidaymakers—whether to fly to heat‑stricken destinations or stay home—reflects how our personal choices interplay with systemic environmental change.
In response, EU member states have called for enhanced collaboration. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism is being strengthened with more rescEU aircraft pre‑positioned in fire‑prone regions. Researchers propose developing a European wildfire monitoring and forecast centre to provide real‑time fire weather indices and risk maps. There is also growing recognition that wildfire smoke is a cross‑border pollutant requiring coordinated public health responses.
Community resilience and cultural shifts
Perhaps the most profound lesson from 2025 is the need for communities to adapt culturally and socially to a warmer, fire‑prone world. In Spain and Portugal, volunteer brigades and neighbourhood watches played crucial roles in early detection and evacuation. In Italy and Greece, residents have begun clearing vegetation around homes and adopting fire‑resistant landscaping. Some towns are revisiting traditional land uses—such as agroforestry and pastoralism—that maintained open, fire‑resistant landscapes before the mid‑20th‑century exodus to cities.
The summer also prompted conversations about tourism ethics. Travellers are reconsidering their carbon footprints and the prudence of visiting destinations experiencing extreme heat and smoke. Domestic tourism—vacations within one’s own country—may become more popular as people seek to reduce travel emissions and support local economies. Meanwhile, the travel industry is exploring ways to decarbonise flights and cruise ships and to offer low‑impact experiences.
The dawn of the “age of non‑tourism”?
Europe’s 2025 wildfire season was a wake‑up call. The burning of over a million hectares, the deaths and displacement of people, and the destruction of cultural and natural heritage reveal how climate change is already reshaping the continent’s landscapes and lifestyles. The fires were not isolated accidents but symptoms of a warming world, mismanaged land and human negligence. As Professor Stefan Gössling warned at a tourism conference, the climate crisis may herald “the age of non‑tourism,” where the cost of travel and the risk of disasters push people to reconsider their vacation habits and lifestyle.
Yet the response to 2025’s fires also demonstrated resilience and solidarity. Firefighters, volunteers and EU partners collaborated across borders; scientists and journalists communicated risks; and communities began to adapt. Going forward, Europe must invest in preventive land management, strengthen international cooperation, support communities in transition and accelerate decarbonisation. Only by addressing the causes and consequences of wildfires at their root can the continent hope to preserve its forests, heritage and quality of life in the face of a warming climate.
Sources
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