Rome, Italy. Europe is dangerously unprepared to tackle a growing wildfire crisis and must overhaul its fleets of firefighting aircraft and increase investment, according to a report commissioned by Avincis.
Report findings and drivers of risk
The report, drawn up by consulting firm Lead by Thought, said rising wildfire risk across southern Europe was linked to climate change, falling rural populations, and the build-up of burnable vegetation. It said wildfires that typically rage from early June to mid-September were breaking out earlier and later in the year.
Wildfires spreading north
The report said blazes were spreading northwards and cited figures from Nordic countries. It said 1,100 hectares burned in Sweden last year, more than 120% above the recent average, and that Finland and Denmark also recorded figures exceeding their long-term baselines.
EU measures and recent burn area
Concerns about the European Union’s readiness to deal with the growing threat were echoed by independent EU advisers last month. The European Commission is due to propose a new strategy on Wednesday aimed at strengthening early efforts to prevent and reduce fire risk.
The report said blazes destroyed 1.03 million hectares of forest across the European Union in 2025, the highest level since records began. It said Spain suffered the most extensive damage with 393,079 hectares burned, followed by Portugal, Romania, Italy, Greece and France.
Avincis comments on aerial firefighting capacity
“There is no question that fire seasons are getting longer. The window for transporting aircraft from one hemisphere to another is getting smaller, forcing the available global aerial-firefighting fleet into decline,” John Boag, Group CEO of Avincis, said.
How prepared do you think Europe is to respond to longer and more widespread wildfire seasons?
