In 2025, parts of Europe were affected by wildfires, with Mediterranean countries affected the most. The fires were exacerbated by a record-breaking heatwave which saw extreme temperatures across the continent throughout June and July. At least 30 people were killed by fires, hundreds injured and over a hundred thousand evacuated; among the worst-hit countries were Ukraine, Turkey, Portugal, Spain, Cyprus, Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo.
Combined burnt area between 1 January – 21 August exceeded 1 million hectares within European Union countries—marking the highest total in over two decades, since the start of joint digital recordkeeping. The running total surpassed the previous peak recorded in 2017. The vast majority of this territory was burnt after 5 August, occurring in the Iberian Peninsula.
Summary Map
List +Wildfires in Europe(Fires approx. 30 ha or larger)Country Burned area(ha) Annual avg.(ha)Top perc.of territory(% area) Number offires Annual avg. 596,59588,167%4,134434 393,079 79,570 % 350 204 278,387 96,360 % 197 204 Turkey153,94948,225438152 129,443 22,889 % 491 100 84,348 55,799 612 295 59,88823,969%1318447,8796,78318132 47,819 50,318 69 58 37,63233,181%12891 36,895 13,588 256 84 32,752 12,311 92 35 31,33816,216%824127,8827,0651914127,65815,755%1335916,7734,174%11525 13,527 1,815 % 7 6 5,475 672 38 6 4,355 3,139 31 12 3,380 13,765 22 37 2,412881275 1,079 2,182 12 7 668 213 3 1 666 737 6 4 431 89 2 .7 407 187 9 2 362 27 1 0 295 368 4 1 255 73 6 1 170 98 4 1 143 328 1 1 30 168 1 .8 rowspan="9" 29 rowspan="9" .5 31 .4 20.2 83 .1 3 .1 4.10.0 0 .0 0.0Total 2,035,972 599,282 7,774 2,026
European Union countries As of 23 September 2025, 2,076 fires are detected and are burnt in the European Union since the beginning of the year. Scientists say that the conflagration in Portugal and Spain was caused by their governmentsSpain: Sánchez III, Portugal: XXV Government failing to control excess ignitable flora in vacant plots.
By country Albania
On 1 July, a fire started in the municipality of Finiq after a pine tree fell on power lines. On 6 July, Greece sent two Canadair CL-415 aircraft to the area to assist with firefighting efforts.
On 25 July, a wildfire started near Delvinë and prompted the evacuation of around 2,000 people in six villages. At least three people were injured and numerous buildings were destroyed, including a church and ten houses.
As of 12 August, the wildfires killed one person and injured eight. Officials reported that in the last 24 hours, 37 fires have been reported, with 30 still remaining active.
Bulgaria On 27 July, it was reported that firefighters were tackling wildfires at almost 100 locations across the country, including one in the Pirin Mountains which burned thousands of acres. Fires in Kozarevo and Simitli destroyed several houses, whilst a fire along the Miloslavska planina mountain range almost destroyed the village of Rani Lug and spread into neighbouring Serbia.
Croatia On 21 June, a large wildfire started in Pisak and quickly spread to nearby villages. The fire burned around before it was brought under control the following day by around 200 firefighters. Numerous citizens and tourists were evacuated and part of the Adriatic Highway was closed; a number of citizens and firefighters were injured and several houses were destroyed in Marušići, Mimice and Pisak. In Marušići, an olive oil refinery, one of the largest in the country, was also destroyed.
Cyprus
On 7 July, a wildfire in the valley between Galataria and Pentalia in Paphos District spread to over and destroyed ancient olive trees, with one firefighter being hospitalised for smoke inhalation. On 13 July, a fire in Steni spread to before it was brought under control; firefighting efforts involved eight aircraft and led to a power outage which affected several areas.
On 23 July, two bodies were found in a burnt out car along the B8 road after a wildfire broke out in the village of Malia in Limassol District. The fire spread to over and forced the evacuation of 14 villages as it was tackled by over 250 firefighters, 75 fire engines and 14 aircraft, with support from Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Spain. Reports stated seven people were in hospital for smoke inhalation and burns and at least 20 homes were destroyed in Lofou. At least 100 livestock were killed in the fire as 14 livestock farms were within the burned area; a total of of agricultural land was destroyed. The same day, amid efforts to fight the blaze in Limassol, another fire was seen in a rubbish dump in Agia Marinouda which spread to the fields beyond; the village of Agia Varvara was evacuated before the fire was brought under control, having burned over . The wildfire was caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette coming into contact with dry vegetation by the side of a mountain road.
France
On 29 June, a large fire started in Corbières due to a poorly extinguished barbeque and spread to over . The A61 autoroute was closed and homes and a campsite were evacuated as over 600 firefighters, nine of whom were injured, fought the blaze and brought it under control the following day.
On 7 July, a fire started near Narbonne and spread to over , forcing the evacuation of a hamlet and the closure of the A9 autoroute. By 9 July, several houses had been damaged whilst around 1,070 firefighters fought the flames, five of whom had been injured. The fire also destroyed a stable, killing a number of horses.
On 8 July, a wildfire started in Les Pennes-Mirabeau and spread rapidly, prompting the closure of the A50 and A55 autoroutes and Marseille Provence Airport as train services heading north and west of Marseille were suspended. Marseille's 15th arrondissement was evacuated and operations at the airport resumed after 9:30 p.m. once Canadair aircraft were grounded for the night. Around 600 people lost power due to the fire in the 16th arrondissement and Les Pennes-Mirabeau, whilst 70 people were displaced from a nursing home in the latter. The Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, said that some 110 people had been injured during the fire, which had affected 63 homes and destroyed at least 10. He also said over 800 firefighters were tackling the blaze, at least nine of whom had been injured.
On 5 August, a wildfire broke out near Ribaute in Aude and spread to in 72 hours, making it the largest fire in France since 1949. Over 2,000 firefighters with 500 vehicles fought the blaze alongside gendarmerie and army personnel as one woman was killed and 25 people injured, of which 19 were firefighters. Dozens of homes and farm buildings were destroyed, including in Jonquières, where the mayor said 80% of the village was burnt. Around 1,500 ha of vineyards are estimated as burnt or secondarily harmed. The region has suffered repeated droughts since 2023, although prosecutors are investigating the possibility of deliberate arson.
Germany
On 1 July, a wildfire started in Gohrischheide on the border of Saxony and Brandenburg, leading to the evacuation of over 100 people as two firefighters were injured. Another fire started in Thuringia the following day in Saalfelder Höhe and grew to become the largest in the state since 1993. By 4 July, a total of 1,000 firefighters had been deployed between the two sites and several communities including Gröditz were under a disaster alert.
Greece
On 22 June, five fires started on the island of Chios, leading to the evacuation of 17 communities as a state of emergency was declared; it was tackled by 444 firefighters and several aircraft as it burned over , with a woman being arrested for unintentional arson. Another large fire destroyed at least 20 homes amidst high winds and temperatures of up to in the towns of Palaia Fokaia and Thymari, with over 1,000 people being evacuated and at least 40 having to be rescued by police.
On 3 July, a wildfire which started the previous day near Ierapetra on the island of Crete forced the evacuation of over 1,500 people as it was fought by around 230 firefighters and 46 vehicles; around 5,000 tourists were also believed to have evacuated independently. Another fire in the Chalkidiki region was being fought by 160 firefighters and 49 vehicles. A fire in Rafina forced the evacuation of four settlements and damaged at least six houses as it spread to Pikermi and Spata.
On 4 July, a wildfire started near Koropi and damaged some houses, leading to the evacuation of Agios Dimitrios as 120 firefighters fought the fire, supported by 30 vehicles, eight aircraft and eight helicopters. A large fire broke out on the island of Evia and forced the evacuation of Limnionas and Tsakaioi as over 160 firefighters fought the blaze; it spread to and a 52-year-old was arrested the following day.
On 7 July, a wildfire started in Kozani and spread close to the University of Western Macedonia, prompting its evacuation; three aircraft and a helicopter were involved as the fire reached some houses.
On 22 July, a firefighting helicopter crashed into the sea near Elefsina during efforts to extinguish a wildfire in Aspropyrgos; all three crew were rescued and taken to hospital. A fire broke out in Corinthia and spread rapidly, prompting the evacuation of a number of settlements as seven houses were destroyed in Kastania. By 24 July, two firefighters had been injured as 360 firefighters, 75 vehicles and 25 aircraft tackled the blaze; two people were arrested in connection to the fire, which spread to over .
On 26 July, firefighters were tackling blazes across the country, including in Attica, Evia, Kythira and Messenia. In Attica, at least five people were taken to hospital as Drosopigi and Kryoneri were evacuated; in the latter flames reached the main square and destroyed some houses. In Evia, a number of settlements were evacuated as a fire spread rapidly and left two firefighters injured, as well as causing power outages in four villages. In Kythira, a fire which started in Pitsinades spread rapidly and led to the evacuation of many settlements. In Messenia, a fire led to the evacuation of four settlements and burned a number of houses in Kryoneri. The following day, data from Copernicus found that had been burned in Attica, Chania, Evia and Kythira and Messenia, with the fires there burning , , , and respectively.
On 8 August, an elderly person was found dead inside a burned house in Keratea following a wildfire. On August 13, within a 48-hour period, 152 new fires were reported nationwide. Major outbreaks occurred near Patras, Zakynthos, Vonitsa, and Chios. More than 7,500 people were evacuated across affected regions. Nearly 5,000 firefighters and 62 aircraft were deployed to contain the flames. At least 13 firefighters were injured; many civilians suffered smoke inhalation. Destruction included residential buildings, agricultural land, a cement factory near Patras, and sections of rail lines.
Italy In Italy, from the beginning of the year to 31 July, there have been 851 wildfires that have burned 56,263 hectares. Fires that in 99% of cases are caused by arsonists. However, counteractions, prevention, and monitoring efforts, including those using surveillance drones, are increasingly widespread and effective. In some cases, arsonists are caught red-handed and arrested.