Global Fires Decline, But 'Megafires' Devastate Rich Nations

In 2025, "devastating" wildfires struck California, Canada, Europe, and South Korea, despite a global decrease in the total area consumed by flames. The 335 million hectares burned was the second-lowest figure recorded since 2002. This reduction was largely attributed to the expansion of farms in Africa, which fragmented landscapes and hindered the spread of savannah fires.

However, the impact of fires in wealthier regions was significant. The UK experienced a record burned area due to a large "megafire" in Scotland, while Spain and Portugal endured over half a million hectares of burning. South Korea reported its most severe and deadliest wildfire season. These extreme events contributed to fires accounting for over 38% of insured losses from weather disasters.

Climate change is exacerbating fire risks, creating conditions for fires to spread rapidly, especially at the wildland-urban interface. High winds and dry vegetation fueled fires in southern California and South Korea, leading to substantial mortality, mass evacuations, and infrastructure damage. Similarly, drought and extreme heat drove severe blazes across the Mediterranean.

While the overall reduction in burned area lowered carbon dioxide emissions, Canada recorded extreme wildfire emissions for the third consecutive year. Wildfire smoke also posed a significant health risk, with toxic particles from Canadian wildfires in 2023 estimated to have caused 82,000 deaths globally. Experts emphasize the need to increase landscape and community resilience to extreme fire events.