Brussels: A European Commission report released on Wednesday reveals that the 2023 wildfire season in Europe was one of the most devastating in recent history. The report indicates that over half a million hectares (504,002), an area twice the size of Luxembourg, were ravaged by wildfires last year. These findings are detailed in the Forest Fires in Europe, Middle East, and North Africa 2023 report by the Commission’s Joint Research Centre. Highlighted in the report are the three worst years in terms of burnt area mapped by the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS): 2017 (988,427 ha), 2022 (837,212 ha), and 2007 (588,388 ha).
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The wildfires intensified during the summer of 2023, predominantly impacting the Mediterranean region. Notably, Greece, near Alexandroupoli, endured the largest single fire in Europe since the 1980s. Attributing these occurrences to climate change, the report underscores that wildfires are becoming more frequent, extending to areas previously deemed fire-resistant. It warns of escalating conditions, as outlined in the European Climate Risk Assessment report published in March.
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Preliminary data for the first quarter of 2024 reveals nearly double the average number of fires, albeit with minimal impact on burnt areas. However, these fires emitted approximately 20 megatonnes of CO2, equating to nearly a third of all emissions from international aviation in the EU within a year. The final 2023 report, incorporating national contributions, is slated for autumn publication.
