A recent report indicates that 2023 saw exceptionally destructive forest fires in Europe.
A record year for forest fires in Europe. The forest fire season in Europe The 2023 fire season was exceptional in its scale. More than 504,000 hectares were burnt, an area twice the size of the Luxembourg. The report “Forest Fires in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa 2023” notes that 2023 was one of the most destructive years in terms of forest fires, following 2017 and 2022.These figures are taken from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).
A marked increase in the number of forest fires in Europe
Wildfires intensified during the summer of 2023, mainly affecting the Mediterranean region. Greece experienced its most widespread wildfires since the 1980s. Climate change is exacerbating these events, increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires and even affecting regions that were previously less vulnerable.
Environmental impact and the future
Furthermore, the fires of 2023 also had a significant environmental impact, generating around 20 megatonnes of CO₂. This figure represents almost a third of the EU’s annual emissions from international aviation. Projections suggest that this trend could worsen, exacerbating climate-related challenges.
Monitoring and future responses
With preliminary data showing an increase in fires in early 2024, Europe may need to step up its preparedness and response to forest fires. The final report for 2023, incorporating national contributions, is expected in the autumn, which will provide further details on these events and on the measures needed to combat them effectively.