Climate change made Spain’s wildfires 20 times more likely, study finds

Wildfires raging across Europe have burned more than half a million hectares this year and caused an estimated €15.6 billion to €19.1 billion ($18 billion to $22 billion) in total damage and economic loss, according to a preliminary assessment by AccuWeather published Thursday. The estimate includes damage to property, infrastructure, firefighting costs, debris removal, and anticipated insurance claims.yahoo+1

Historic Fire Season Deepens

The European Union's environment commissioner told Reuters ↗ 1.68% on Wednesday that the bloc would push member countries to invest more in environmental management to reduce wildfire risk. In Spain, wildfires have consumed 219,000 hectares, while 91,000 hectares have burned in France, forcing more than 300,000 people to evacuate their homes across the continent. Italy has seen roughly 70,000 hectares burn — a 133% increase over its two-decade average, according to a report by WWF Italy released Wednesday.aa+1

Across Europe, some 435,000 hectares have burned so far this year, around 100,000 hectares more than during the same period in 2025. France's total economic losses alone could reach €10 billion to €15 billion, according to credit ratings agency Morningstar DBRS.moderndiplomacy+2

Climate Change Amplifies Risk

A new analysis by the World Weather Attribution group found that human-caused climate change made extreme fire-prone weather conditions 20 times more likely in Spain and at least twice as likely in France. The study examined surface temperatures, drought, humidity, and wind speed, concluding that without curbing fossil fuels, humanity may soon approach the limits of its ability to adapt.news.cgtn

A Reuters fact-check published Wednesday noted that while human activities ignite nine out of 10 wildfires in France, climate change creates the drier, hotter conditions that allow fires to spread more rapidly and burn larger areas. "We are increasingly moving toward a regime of fewer fires but potentially larger, faster and more difficult-to-control events," said Raul Cordero, a climate scientist at the University of Groningen.reuters

Drought Compounds the Crisis

Europe's rivers are simultaneously hitting record lows. The Rhine fell to its lowest level ever recorded, stranding boats in Cologne, while the Danube reached record lows prompting emergency government action across central Europe. CNBC reported Tuesday that extremely low water levels on the Rhine and Danube are disrupting energy generation, freight, and river transport.cnbc+2

"We can no longer simply chase fires and prioritize suppression; the real challenge is to prevent fires from becoming uncontrollable by intervening before they develop," said Edoardo Nevola, forestry manager at WWF Italy.aa