Wildfires in the European Union are no longer confined to southern hotspots like Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece. A recent report from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) indicates that climate change is expanding the fire-prone zone northward, affecting countries such as Germany, Czechia, and even parts of Scandinavia.
The JRC's 2025 report, published in early 2026, highlights that the length of the fire season has increased by about 27% on average across the EU over the past decade. In 2025, wildfires burned over 500,000 hectares in the EU, with significant fires occurring in Germany and Czechia, which experienced their largest wildfires on record.
The report attributes the expansion to rising temperatures and prolonged droughts, which dry out vegetation and create more flammable conditions. It also notes that the number of extreme fire danger days has doubled in some regions since 2000. The EU has responded by strengthening its Civil Protection Mechanism and increasing funding for fire prevention and response, including a dedicated fleet of firefighting aircraft.
Experts warn that without significant emission reductions, the area at high fire risk could expand further, affecting more populated and forested areas. The JRC calls for improved land management and community preparedness to mitigate the growing threat.
