EU Records 1,254 Wildfires by July, Burning 254,388 Hectares in Early 2026 Season
Updated
Updated · SWI swissinfo.ch in English · Jul 27
EU Records 1,254 Wildfires by July, Burning 254,388 Hectares in Early 2026 Season
2 articles · Updated · SWI swissinfo.ch in English · Jul 27
Summary
254,388 hectares have burned across EU countries since January, with 1,254 wildfires logged by July 22—fewer fires than a year earlier but more than double the historical average.
A persistent high-pressure system, extreme heat and drought dried vegetation unusually early, helping push June to western Europe’s hottest on record and bringing the wildfire season forward.
Spain, Italy and France have seen major blazes that destroyed forest and farmland, forced thousands to evacuate and caused fatalities, with experts warning the seasonal peak is still likely in August.
Switzerland has avoided large fires so far, but all 26 cantons face high to very high forest-fire risk and have imposed fire restrictions or bans as drought deepens.
Experts say human activity causes 90% of Swiss wildfires, and climate-driven heatwaves and droughts are expected to raise fire risk further in summer, winter and early spring.