Forest -burn record records noted in European Union in 2025, as the fires have already destroyed more than 10 million acres (10,000 km2), according to the latest data from the European Forestry Information System (EFFIS). This is the largest area recorded since 2006, when systematic monitoring began.

Today, the total burning area amounts to 10,157,310 acres – an area larger than Corsica – surpassing the previous 9,885,240 acres of 2017. These numbers are based on EFFIS records by country, at the same time Spain and Portugal They continue to fight with large and devastating fires.

Critical condition in Iberian and Balkans

In 2017 it was characterized by unprecedented loss of human lives, as only in Portugal more than 119 people were killed in the fires, with over half of the total burnt down that year.

This year, four EU member states-Spain, Cyprus, Germany and Slovakia-have already surpassed any previous annual record of burnt areas of the last 20 years. Portugal still holds the ultimate record with 5,635,300 acres destroyed in 2017, but at the same time, such a large burnt area had never been recorded by August 21.

Spain remains the toughest tested country in the EU this year, with over 4 million acres of ash – which corresponds to almost 40% of total losses in Europe in 2025. Four people have lost their lives in the country. Portugal follows about 2,740,000 acres and three dead, while Romania measures 1,260,000 acres. In France, mainly in Od, 356,000 acres have been destroyed, with a loss of life.

In Britain, a record year was also recorded after the spring fires caused by an early heatwave, and significant losses were also reported in northern Scotland in late June.

In BalkansSerbia is facing its worst year since the collection of relevant data began.

Alarming effects on climate and human losses

Effis’s estimates, which acts as an indicator at the Copernicus Observatory, take into account only 300 acres. From 1 January to August 19th, forest fires in 22 of the 27 EU Member States produced 35 carbon dioxide (CO2), approaching the historical record of 41 megatons of 2017. This level is characterized as “unprecedented for the season”according to Effis.

That year marked Europe with more than 200 deaths, especially in Portugal, Italy, Spain and France. 10 dead have been recorded this year: two in Cyprus, one in France and seven in the Iberian Peninsula, according to “French agency”. This is a temporary report, with the authorities constantly marking increasing trends.