The European Commission is pushing for a new prevention strategy to tackle the growing and concerning threat of wildfires, which are damaging several countries across the European Union due to the impact of climate change.
Numerous studies point to worsening wildfires across Europe in the coming years, with 2025 already a record year with over 1 million hectares burnt. A survey by the European Environment Agency found that half of the European citizens contacted are concerned about the issue.
The Commission wants member states to be ready to address the threat in the coming years, both individually and in coordination. “Strengthening our prevention and resilience capacities and investing in healthy ecosystems will help us to reduce the most dangerous risks and lower the costs and damages,” said Executive Vice-President in charge of environment Teresa Ribera.
To that end, the Commission released new guidelines to support readiness and future cooperation. The aim is to strengthen wildfire prevention measures, with more fire-resilient landscapes and greater nature protection and restoration. Prevention will also involve citizens, with more trained staff and young citizens, so that they can be involved and helpful.
“Today’s strategy shows that prevention, preparedness and solidarity must go hand in hand if we want to save lives and strengthen Europe’s resilience against worsening wildfire threats,” said Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness.
In addition, experts will collaborate more. The Commission wants more expertise exchange among firefighters, not only in Europe but also in other parts of the world. A new regional firefighting hub is currently being set up in Cyprus, with a dual role as an operational and training hub.
As Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, said: “wildfires know no borders, and neither should our response.” To that end, the rescEU firefighting fleet will grow to 12 aircraft, including helicopters. One helicopter was delivered to Romania this January.
As for fire response, the Copernicus satellite system will support a more robust European Forest Fire Information System to provide faster early warning and monitoring tools. Other technologies will be used to develop a new standardised risk model for the bloc.
