How to better protect Europe from wildfires

Wildfires have ravaged large swaths of Europe this summer, with more than 6,000 square kilometers of forest destroyed and hundreds of thousands displaced. The European Union has allocated €2.1 billion for forest and wildfire management programs between 2021 and 2027, but the damage already stands at an estimated €15 billion. New research suggests that without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, wildfires could increase by 39% annually by the end of the century.

Even with stronger climate action, the study predicts that 39% more land could burn annually by the end of the century, with particularly severe impacts expected in the Mediterranean region and western and central Europe. Lead author Maik Billing of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research emphasizes the urgency of improving wildfire management through better training, equipment, and coordination between authorities.

While effective fire management could potentially reduce future burned areas by up to 90% if greenhouse gas emissions fall rapidly and global warming is limited, the researchers stress that strong climate action remains essential. Peatlands, which cover only 3% of the Earth's surface but store 30% of the carbon in soils worldwide, are especially vulnerable to drying out during droughts and becoming highly flammable.

The recent massive peat fires in western Germany and neighboring Belgium highlight the growing threat posed by such fires.

The new study delivers a clear message: improved wildfire management can help mitigate the danger but will not be enough to eliminate it if global temperatures continue to rise as predicted.