In 2025, wildfires have wreaked havoc across the European Union, consuming an area nearly half the size of Sicily, according to data from Copernicus’ European Forest Fires Information System. So far, approximately 986,000 hectares have been burned, a staggering threefold increase from the 227,627 hectares recorded in the previous year. This year has seen almost 2,000 different blazes, marking a record number of fires since late February. The situation underscores a growing crisis that demands immediate attention and action.
Among the affected nations, Spain has faced the most severe destruction, losing over 380,000 hectares to fires—an area 1.5 times the size of Luxembourg. Portugal has been hit even harder in relation to its size, with approximately 263,000 hectares scorched, which is about eight times larger than Malta. The escalating toll of these wildfires has sparked a cross-border assistance initiative, with firefighters from Malta assisting their counterparts in Portugal and Greece to combat the blazes effectively. One notable intervention occurred recently in Corgas, a region in central Portugal, reflecting the urgent need for collaborative efforts to tackle this environmental threat.
Eurostat data reveals that Europe is home to nearly 400,000 firefighters, with Germany boasting the largest contingent at 66,000. Following Germany are France, Poland, and Italy, with 52,000, 49,000, and 43,500 firefighters, respectively. Interestingly, when looking at the proportion of firefighters relative to the job market, Croatia leads with 0.45%, making it the most resourceful nation when it comes to fire protection. Greece follows closely at 0.41%, while the Netherlands lags behind with only 0.08% of its workforce devoted to firefighting efforts.
When it comes to budgetary allocations for fire protection, Romania stands out as the EU leader. The Romanian government allocates nearly 1% of its national budget to wildfire protection measures, underscoring the high priority placed on this issue. Estonia and Greece follow suit, dedicating about 0.7% of their budgets to similar efforts. Conversely, countries such as Denmark, Malta, Portugal, and Austria show comparatively minimal investments, spending only 0.1% to 0.3% of their budgets on wildfire management. The EU average is close to 0.5%, representing a collective expenditure of around €40 billion on fire protection.
The 2025 fire season has thus highlighted a critical need for increased investment in fire prevention and fighting resources across Europe. The data reveals stark contrasts between countries, not only in the scale of the devastation but also in their preparedness to handle such crises. This year’s rampant wildfires expose vulnerabilities in fire management strategies, accentuating the importance of both financial commitments and workforce investments as countries confront more frequent and intense fire seasons.
The collaborative firefighting efforts among EU nations reflect an urgent need for a cohesive approach to tackling wildfires, especially as climate change continues to exacerbate the frequency and severity of these events. Acknowledging the soaring costs and the increasing demand for firefighting resources will be vital as the EU seeks to bolster its fire management infrastructure. Enhanced funding, strategic planning, and international cooperation will be essential in combating this escalating challenge and safeguarding the environment and communities affected by wildfires.
