Commission launches new strategy to tackle rising wildfire threat

As wildfires are getting larger, more frequent, and more destructive, the European Commission is presenting a new integrated approach to wildfire risk management. The strategy covers prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. This holistic approach will enhance Europe's resilience against the growing threat of wildfires and ensure stronger protection for Europeans and the environment, as well as its infrastructure and cultural heritage.

In line with the Preparedness Union Strategy, today's communication provides guidance on how to better prevent, prepare for, respond and recover from wildfires, with examples and recommendations on how national and regional authorities and other stakeholders can implement this framework.

The size and intensity of wildfires is expected to worsen across the continent. In 2025, Europe experienced its worst wildfire season since records began, with over one million hectares scorched. This is due to intensifying climate change and other drivers. Restoring Europe's nature is therefore key, as healthy ecosystems are more resilient to wildfires.

This is why the Commission puts a strong focus on prevention. It proposes strengthening its support for ecosystem-based wildfire prevention measures. The aim is to build fire-resilient landscapes and to mitigate the risk and impact of wildfires through nature protection and nature restoration. To that end, the Commission today adopted a guidance document on Natura 2000 and climate change, which provides advice for a structured approach to climate adaptation for Natura 2000 sites.

The guidance also shows how to promote resilient landscape planning and measures to reduce the risk of wildfires, in compatibility with the sites' conservation objectives. In addition, it clarifies flexibilities for Member States in managing Natura 2000 sites in case of emergency situations, such as wildfires, when quick responses are vital to rescue people and protect biodiversity.

To assist long-term planning the Commission will provide updated risk assessment guidelines that Member States may integrate into their national reporting.

Citizens across Europe are worried about the growing wildfire threat. According to a recent survey from the European Environment Agency, half of the citizens surveyed are concerned about this natural phenomenon. The Commission wants people to be more aware of its risks and to involve citizens in wildfires preparedness in line with the Preparedness Union Strategy. It will continue the work to include preparedness in the training of educational staff, promote preparedness in EU youth programmes in this area, and promote exchange and volunteering opportunities on wildfires preparedness. The Commission has organised a dedicated European Citizens Panel to this end.

As part of boosting preparedness, the Commission will continue to pre-position firefighters in risk areas and promote the exchange of firefighting experts. The exchange of experiences and further cooperation will also be promoted with wildfire-prone regions across the globe. Member States and stakeholders will be informed about dedicated funding opportunities. The Commission will further develop the European Forest Fire Information System supported by satellite Copernicus, improving its early warning and fire monitoring tools.

New capabilities for standardised risk modelling at a pan-European scale will be developed to help identify best practices for reducing fire risks and increase landscape resilience. The Commission also continues developing AI-assisted wildfire modelling tools to support decision-making.

On top of that, the rescEU firefighting fleet will be expanded with the procurement of 12 firefighting planes, as well as 5 helicopters. The 1st helicopter of the rescEU fleet, delivered to Romania in January 2026, will be ready for the 2026 wildfires season.

The Commission is working on establishing a European firefighting hub in Cyprus, serving as a
regional centre for training, exercises, and seasonal readiness. It will have a dual role: operational, to respond to wildfire emergencies, and capacity building.

The Commission also proposes to collect data to better understand and reduce the long-term health risks firefighters face, link to their exposure to dangerous conditions and toxic substances. Finally, the Commission will promote exchange about best practices for post-fire recovery methods, and support post-disaster restoration towards more climate-resilient ecosystems.

To anchor these efforts, the Commission will present a proposal for a Council Recommendation on integrated wildfire risk management.

Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, said:

'The number and intensity of wildfires across the continent is worryingly increasing, destroying ecosystems and infrastructures, impacting on people and the economy. 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'

Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, said:

'Europe must be ready before the first fire starts. That means building a real culture of preparedness: equipping people with the right skills, supporting firefighters and first responders, and helping communities understand the risks they face. 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.'

Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said:

'Wildfires know no borders, and neither should our response. Today's measures demonstrate Europe's unwavering commitment to standing together in the face of climate-driven crises. By strengthening prevention, sharing resources, and investing in resilience, we are protecting lives, livelihoods, and the future of our continent.'

Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, said:

'Wildfires are becoming more ferocious and more destructive across Europe, with catastrophic consequences for our lives, environment and economies. It shows how our economic resilience is directly linked to the health of our ecosystems, and how protecting one, protects the other. By investing in prevention, restoring nature and creating fire-resilient landscapes, we can avoid economic damage worth billions of euros.'

Background

Wildfires pose a growing threat to Europe, with climate change increasing their intensity and frequency.
The EU's Civil Protection Mechanism and the EU's strategic reserve, rescEU, have already proven vital in supporting Member States, with enhanced aerial firefighting capacities and cross-border assistance. These new measures build on existing efforts to create a more resilient, prepared, and coordinated Europe in the face of wildfire risks. Today's measures build on the Preparedness Union Strategy adopted exactly 1 year ago, on 26 March 2025.

The Commission will work closely with Member States, regions, the civil protection community, land managers and other stakeholders to implement these measures, ensuring a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach. Progress will be regularly reviewed and reported to the European Parliament, Council, Economic and Social Committee, and Committee of the Regions.

Healthy and well-managed ecosystems can better adapt to climate change and reduce the risk and impacts of extreme events such as floods, droughts and wildfires while delivering co-benefits for biodiversity, local communities and economic resilience.

For more information

• Communication on integrated wildfire risk management

• Question and answers on integrated wildfire risk management

• Factsheet - Integrated wildfire risk management

• Wildfires - European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations

• EU Preparedness Union Strategy to prevent and react to emerging threats and crises

• European Forest Fire Information System

• Overheated and underprepared: Europeans' experience of living with climate change

• Natura 2000 news item