On 25 March, the European Commission adopted a Communication on Integrated Wildfire Risk Management, setting out a more coordinated approach to addressing the growing wildfire risk across Europe.
The Communication responds to increasingly severe wildfire seasons, including the record-breaking 2025 season, when more than one million hectares burned across the EU.
It introduces an integrated approach covering prevention, preparedness, response and recovery, recognising wildfire risk as a complex challenge linked to climate change, land management and human activity.
A strong focus is placed on prevention, including the development of fire-resilient landscapes through sustainable land management and ecosystem restoration. It also aims to strengthen preparedness through improved risk assessment, enhanced tools such as the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), and increased public awareness and community engagement.
Operationally, the Communication reinforces EU support through the expansion of rescEU capacities, continued pre-positioning of firefighting teams, and plans for a European firefighting hub in Cyprus.
Building on the Preparedness Union Strategy, it promotes a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to strengthen Europe’s resilience to wildfires.
Read the full Communication and press release for more details.