(MENAFN) Wildfires have burned nearly 895,000 hectares across the European Union so far this year, more than four times the area affected during the same period in 2024, according to reports from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC).

The total area scorched has more than doubled compared with last week’s tally of 439,568 hectares, highlighting the rapid spread of fires in recent days. This year’s figure significantly exceeds the 19-year average of 244,000 hectares typically recorded by mid-August.

So far, 1,736 major fires—defined as those larger than 30 hectares—have been detected across the EU, compared with 1,185 during the same timeframe last year. The surge has pushed estimated carbon dioxide emissions to 31.9 million tonnes, nearly three times higher than the previous year.

Looking ahead, forecasts for August 19-25 indicate easing fire conditions in southern Europe, including Spain, France, Italy, the Balkans, and Greece. However, northern and northwestern regions of the continent are expected to face heightened risks.

Countries such as Ireland, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, northern Germany, Poland, Denmark, and parts of Sweden and Finland are predicted to experience “very high to very extreme” fire danger. Elevated risks are also expected along the Danube basin, affecting Austria, Hungary, and Romania.

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