What's happened
Europe's 2025 wildfire season, the worst on record, saw over 1 million hectares burned across Spain, Portugal, and the Mediterranean. Research from World Weather Attribution shows climate change made extreme heat and dry conditions 30-40 times more likely, intensifying fires by up to 30%, causing fatalities, mass evacuations, and damage to protected habitats.
What's behind the headline?
Climate Change's Amplifying Role
The 2025 wildfire season in Europe starkly illustrates how climate change is intensifying natural disasters. The World Weather Attribution (WWA) studies confirm that human-driven warming has made extreme heat and dry conditions 30 to 40 times more likely, transforming what were once rare events into near-annual occurrences. This shift not only increases fire frequency but also fire intensity, with blazes burning 22-30% more fiercely than in a preindustrial climate.
Compounding Factors
Beyond climate, socio-economic changes such as rural abandonment have left vast tracts of overgrown vegetation, creating abundant fuel for fires. This neglect, combined with aging populations and insufficient forest management, exacerbates wildfire risks, especially in Mediterranean countries like Spain and Portugal.
Regional Variations and Broader Impacts
While the Iberian Peninsula suffered the most, wildfires also ravaged parts of France, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. The fires have caused direct human casualties, mass evacuations, and severe ecological damage, threatening endangered species and protected habitats.
Policy and Preparedness Challenges
The scale and intensity of these fires are stretching firefighting resources and emergency responses to their limits. The Spanish government’s recent 10-point climate plan, including cross-border coordination, reflects growing recognition of the need for systemic adaptation.
Forecast and Consequences
With global temperatures projected to rise further, such extreme fire seasons will become more frequent and severe. This will increase public health risks from smoke, strain emergency services, and impose significant economic costs. Without accelerated emissions reductions and improved land management, the Mediterranean faces a future of escalating wildfire crises.
What the papers say
The Guardian highlights the staggering economic and human toll of Europe's 2025 wildfires, noting that climate change made the extreme weather conditions 40 times more likely and intensified fires by up to 30%. Clair Barnes of Imperial College London described the fires as "astonishing" in size and intensity, emphasizing the role of hotter, drier conditions. The Guardian also reports on Spain's political response, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez unveiling a 10-point plan to better prepare for climate-driven disasters.
Al Jazeera and AP News provide detailed attribution studies from the World Weather Attribution network, quantifying how climate change increased the likelihood and severity of the fires. AP News quotes Clair Barnes stating, "Hotter, drier and more flammable conditions are becoming more severe with climate change, and are giving rise to fires of unprecedented intensity."
Bloomberg succinctly summarizes the scientific consensus, noting the 3°C hotter heatwave preceding the fires and the 30% increase in fire intensity due to climate change.
The Independent echoes these findings, emphasizing the 22% increase in fire intensity and the 13-fold rise in dry, hot air periods that prime vegetation to burn. It also highlights the challenges firefighters face with changing wind patterns, quoting Greek researcher Gavriil Xanthopoulos: "It seems that they cannot count on this pattern anymore."
Together, these sources paint a consistent picture: climate change is dramatically worsening wildfire conditions in Europe, with significant human, ecological, and economic consequences.
How we got here
Europe's Mediterranean region has faced increasing heatwaves and droughts due to climate change, leading to more frequent and intense wildfires. Rural depopulation and unmanaged forests have compounded fire risks. The 2025 season broke records for area burned and fire intensity, driven by hotter, drier, and windier conditions linked to global warming.
Go deeper
- How has climate change increased wildfire risks in Europe?
- What are the main factors worsening wildfires in the Mediterranean?
- What policies are being implemented to address wildfire risks?
Common question
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How Are Climate Change and Wildfires Connected in Europe?
Europe is experiencing its worst wildfire season on record in 2025, with over a million hectares burned, dozens of deaths, and thousands evacuated. Scientists link this surge in wildfires directly to climate change, which has made heatwaves, dry conditions, and strong winds more frequent and intense. But how exactly are these factors connected? Below, we explore the relationship between climate change and wildfires, what recent studies reveal about future risks, and what actions Europe can take to reduce the threat of even worse wildfires.
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How Is Climate Change Fueling Europe's Worst Wildfire Season?
Europe is experiencing its most severe wildfire season on record, with fires intensifying and spreading faster than ever. Climate change plays a significant role in this crisis, making hot, dry, and windy conditions more frequent and severe. Curious about how exactly climate change impacts wildfires, which regions are most affected, and what can be done to prevent future disasters? Read on to find out more about this urgent issue and what actions are being taken to combat it.
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Why Were the 2025 Wildfires in Spain and Portugal So Severe?
The wildfires in Spain and Portugal in 2025 have been the worst on record for Europe. Many wonder what caused such extreme fires and how climate change played a role. In this page, we explore the reasons behind the severity of these wildfires, their environmental and human impacts, and what can be done to prevent future disasters. Keep reading to understand the science, the socio-economic factors, and the steps needed to address this crisis.
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Why Are Europe's Wildfires Getting Worse?
Europe is experiencing its most severe wildfire season on record, with devastating fires in Spain, Portugal, and beyond. Many wonder what’s driving this increase in intensity and frequency. The answer lies in the changing climate, land management issues, and socio-economic factors. Below, we explore the key reasons behind Europe's worsening wildfires and what can be done to prevent future disasters.
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How Does Climate Change Make Natural Disasters Worse?
Climate change is significantly increasing the severity and frequency of natural disasters worldwide. From devastating wildfires in Europe to more intense storms and floods, the link between global warming and these events is clearer than ever. Curious about how climate change impacts specific disasters and what we can do about it? Below are some common questions and answers to help you understand this urgent issue.
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Why Are Europe's Wildfires So Severe This Year?
Europe is experiencing its worst wildfire season on record in 2025, with devastating fires across Spain, Portugal, and other Mediterranean regions. Many wonder what’s driving this surge in wildfires and how climate change is making things worse. Below, we explore the key reasons behind the severity of this year's fires, the role of climate change, and what can be done to prevent future disasters.
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Why Are Europe's Wildfires So Severe in 2025?
Europe is experiencing its worst wildfire season on record in 2025, with over a million hectares burned across countries like Spain, Portugal, and the Mediterranean. Experts link this surge in wildfires to climate change, which has made extreme heat and droughts far more likely. But what exactly is causing these intense fires, and what can be done to prevent future disasters? Below, we explore the key questions about Europe's record-breaking wildfire season and the role of climate change.
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