Published on: 2026-07-30
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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July 30, 2026 Climate and Environment
Since the beginning of 2026, fires have destroyed nearly 6 million hectares of forest in Europe and North America. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) warns that without increased investments in prevention, sustainable forest management, and adaptation to climate change, it will be impossible to contain the spread of megafires.
According to the UNECE, more than 434 thousand hectares of forest have already been destroyed by fire in Europe. In France, fires in the Gironde department have destroyed almost 42 thousand hectares of pine forests and forced tens of thousands of residents and tourists to leave their homes and vacation spots. In Spain, the area of burned territories has already exceeded 200 thousand hectares – approximately twice the annual average.
In North America, the scale of the disaster is even greater: in the USA, almost 1.85 million hectares of forest have burned, and in Canada – about 3.8 million hectares. Dozens of large fires are still not being contained.
Nine out of ten fires are caused by humans
“Every summer reminds us that forest fires are no longer an exceptional phenomenon but are becoming an increasingly predictable consequence of climate change,” said Paola Deda, Head of the Environment and Forest Section of the UNECE. “While emergency response remains vital, the greatest results can come from prevention, sustainable forest management, and enhancing the resilience of natural territories and local communities.”
According to the Commission, about 90 percent of forest fires are caused by human activity – as a result of carelessness or intentional actions.
The UNECE notes that many fires can be prevented by increasing public awareness, tightening fire safety regulations, introducing temporary restrictions during periods of high fire risk, and encouraging responsible behavior in forests.
The commission calls for a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, risk assessment, monitoring, early detection of fire outbreaks, effective response, and restoration of affected areas.
Climate change increases the risk of fires
The UN agency notes that rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, heat waves, and changes in precipitation patterns increase the length of the fire hazard season and make regions that previously rarely faced large-scale forest fires vulnerable.
The Commission warns that climate change contributes to an increase in the number and intensity of fires, which, in turn, lead to additional greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2021, wildfires caused emissions of about 1.8 billion tons of carbon dioxide. According to the UN ECE, from 2001 to 2023, global emissions related to wildfires increased by approximately 60 percent, and in the boreal forests of Europe, North America, and Central Asia, they nearly tripled.
Human and economic losses are increasing
The UN ECE reminds that forest fires cause human deaths, destroy homes and infrastructure, and force people to leave their homes. Smoke can spread over hundreds of kilometers, deteriorating air quality and increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
It is estimated that wildfires cause economic damage of about 2.5 billion euros annually in the European Union alone. However, the real losses are significantly higher, as the consequences of fires persist long after the fire has been extinguished, including loss of biodiversity, decreased land productivity, and the need to restore natural ecosystems.
The UNECE also emphasizes the role of new technologies in fire prevention. Early detection systems using artificial intelligence, satellite monitoring, and real-time risk zone mapping enable faster identification of fire outbreaks, accelerate response, and reduce the extent of damage.
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