Portugal Leads EU in Percentage of Territory Affected by Wildfires - A Disturbing Trend

Portugal has emerged as the European Union (EU) country with the highest percentage of its territory affected by wildfires, a concerning leadership position it holds by a significant margin. This year alone, 2.35% of Portugal's land has been consumed by fires, with an average of 1.05% over the past 18 years (2006-2024). This figure is nearly three times higher than that of Greece, which ranks second in this alarming statistic.

The scale of destruction in Portugal underscores a persistent environmental and safety challenge, with the country's approximately 92,000 square kilometers increasingly vulnerable to wildfires. The situation in Greece, while serious, pales in comparison, with only 0.38% of its area affected on average during the same period.

The data highlights a growing concern for Portugal's environmental policies and disaster response strategies, as the country continues to outpace its EU counterparts in wildfire-related land destruction. The need for comprehensive prevention and management strategies has never been more urgent, as climate change exacerbates the frequency and intensity of these devastating events.