Europe is currently experiencing a season of large-scale and dangerous wildfires. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), more than 434,000 hectares of forest have been destroyed by fire across Europe since the beginning of 2026.

One of the hardest-hit regions is Gironde in France, where nearly 42,000 hectares of pine forests have burned, forcing thousands of residents and tourists to evacuate to safer areas. Spain is also facing its most severe wildfire season in decades, with more than 200,000 hectares affected by fires. The European Union has warned that countries such as Greece and Italy may face an increased wildfire risk in early August due to extreme heat, prolonged drought, and strong winds.

According to experts, nearly 90 percent of wildfires are caused by human activity. Therefore, improving environmental awareness, strengthening early fire detection systems, and promoting sustainable forest management remain essential preventive measures. Wildfires not only cause severe damage to nature and the economy but also pose serious risks to human health by worsening air quality and accelerating global warming.