The total forest area burned in EU countries this year reached 1.034 million hectares, marking the largest loss on record.

As extreme temperatures affected many parts of the world due to global climate change, forest fires, mostly human-induced during these periods, led to significant destruction.

According to data compiled by Anadolu from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), EU countries confronted a record number of forest fires throughout 2025 amid severe heat.

2025 marked worst year on record both in number of forest fires and total area burned across European Union (EU) countries as wildfire season grows longer and more destructive.

The total area lost in fires across the EU this year reached 1,033,966 hectares.

Covering approximately 10,340 square kilometers, the burned area exceeds the size of Cyprus and is comparable to the surface area of Lebanon.

In 2024, the EU recorded 8,343 forest fires during which 383,317 hectares burned. While last year had already seen record-high fire activity, losses in 2025 exceeded three times that of 2024. The total forest area lost in 2025 is the highest measured since records began in 2006.

In the week of August 12, 334,478 hectares of land burned in forest fires in EU countries, particularly in Spain and Portugal. Thus, forest loss recorded in just one week was equivalent to the annual losses seen in previous years.

Spain suffered the greatest loss due to wildfires in the EU this year, with 393,079 hectares burned.

Portugal followed with 278,387 hectares. Other countries also recorded significant losses: Romania lost 129,443 hectares, Italy 84,348 hectares, Greece 47,819 hectares, France 36,895 hectares, and Bulgaria 32,752 hectares.

When all member states are included, the total burned area across the EU reaches 1.034 million hectares.