European Fires Rose in 2023, Third in Protected Areas
In 2025, the European Union had a very bad fire season. Over a million hectares burned in several countries. The fires were caused by heatwaves and intense weather.
The European Commission’s JRC reported the worst forest fire season ever for the EU. More than one million hectares burned across Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Cyprus. The fires started earlier than usual and were made worse by extreme heat. Many of the fires happened in areas protected by Natura 2000. In Portugal, a large area of these protected zones was burned.
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Highlights
Devastating Forest Fire Season
The European Union had the worst forest fire season in 2025.
Over a Million Hectares Burned
More than one million hectares burned across several European countries.
Heatwaves Expanded Fire Risk
Intense heatwaves caused fires to spread further north.
Natura 2000 Fires Significant
A third of the 2025 European fires were in protected areas.
Portugal Fires in Protected Zones
51,323 hectares in Portugal burned within Natura 2000 sites.