Wouldn’t this steady year-by-year increase of so-called “wildfires” raise the legitimate question of why and what or who causes them? he asks.
Every year, at least for the past five or six years, approximately starting with the (“UN”) Agenda 2030 – remember the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs”)? – bush and forest fires have become more ferocious.
As of late July 2026, wildfires across the European Union (“EU”) have burned about 254,400 hectares (2,544 km²) since the start of the year, with France, Spain, Portugal and Italy among the worst-affected countries.
The European Forest Fires Information System (“EFFIS”), via the EU Joint Research Centre, reports 254,388 hectares (ha) burnt in the EU in 2026 up to 22 July 2026. This is above the 20-year average but slightly below the same period in 2025. See this for more info: Current wildfire situation in Europe, European Commission.
EFFIS maps fires bigger than 30 ha that include at least some forested area. Its figures represent roughly 95% of the total EU burned area.
In Spain and France, more than 200,000 people were evacuated or escaped by themselves, leaving their home and for many their life savings and assets (homes, farms, farm lands, cars and other amenities) behind to save their lives. Some escaped the spectacular Bordeaux peninsula, offering stunning landscapes and tourist areas, as well as oyster-farming villages and upmarket resorts.
Since the beginning of 2026, close to 1,300 fires have beendetected, though fewer than in the same period in 2025, when 1,329 were recorded. But more than double the long-term average (about 30 years) of 569 fires.
According to EFFIS, these fires emitted 8.31 million tonnes (Mt) of CO₂ since the start of 2026, slightly below the 8.48 Mt recorded in the same period in 2025, and the long-term average of 8.89 Mt. Consider, though, that the summer is not yet over. For comparison, an average European citizen emits 5.55 tonnes of CO₂ over an entire year (EDGAR 2024 recording – Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research).
The situation in the US is probably even worse. As of late July 2026, the United States is experiencing a severe and above-average wildfire season, with the National Preparedness Level raised to its maximum (Level 5) and more than 16,000 km2 burned nationwide. This is about 140% above the 10-year average. The situation in Canada is not better....<<<Read More>>>....
