European Union fire records show burned land reached 692,419 hectares by Oct. 7, nearly twice the long-term average, as officials and regional projects expand monitoring and response planning.
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) said the European Forest Fires Information System (EFFIS) recorded that area, compared with an average of 360,510 hectares by the same date from 2006 to 2025. The 2026 total was below the 1,028,701 hectares recorded by Oct. 7, 2025. EFFIS includes fires exceeding 30 hectares and may count controlled or vegetation-management burns; the figures can change as satellite imagery is updated.
Drought readings showed broad exposure. For July 21-31, half of EU and U.K. territory fell into a drought watch, warning or alert category, and 9% was at alert level. The JRC identified scarce rainfall as the main driver, with above-average temperatures and heatwaves worsening conditions.
The European Commission’s March plan proposed revised wildfire-risk assessments, expanded EFFIS monitoring and early-warning tools, and European models using artificial intelligence (AI). In June, the Council of the EU adopted nonbinding guidance encouraging member states to make better use of data and warnings and coordinate responders. It identified climate change, land-management changes and human activity as wildfire-risk factors. Constantinos Ioannou, Cyprus’ minister of interior, said the risk was “no longer a challenge for a few countries but a European challenge.”
Some regional tools are already operating. The Region of Murcia government said a geographic information system supported its 2026 wildfire campaign by mapping incidents, routes and the location and availability of response resources. It named Vexiza as the software developer and Orthem as the service contractor.
The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Spanish Space Agency said eight Earth-observation projects began in July with €3 million in combined funding through ESA’s InCubed initiative. One project is designed to make observation data, communications and analysis available on a common platform. In Greece, ESA said a four-satellite fire-monitoring system launched in May and captured its first thermal image. The Associated Press reported that AI-processed satellite data were being sent to fire commanders as alerts; ESA said twice-daily coverage of Greece is planned once the system is fully operational.
Climate risks also feature in bank planning. Santander UK modeled three hypothetical river floods affecting London and southeast England in 2026, 2028 and 2033, alongside delayed policy changes beginning in 2030. The scenario estimated losses 19% above the baseline over a 10-year assessment period. Santander said it was not a forecast and did not indicate a need for additional capital or changed loan-loss provisions. Its analysis identified real estate as the sector most affected by flood damage, while infrastructure damage could disrupt transport and work.
The Commission said it would review progress and report to EU institutions, but did not set a date for the review.
