The European Parliament debates the need to boost the EU’s response and prepare to protect people from recurring heatwaves and upcoming wildfires.
Europe has experienced its third-warmest spring on record in 2026, followed by an early heatwave in western Europe in May and more intense extreme heat events in recent weeks. The risk of droughts and wildfires is increasing across the continent.
MEPs are expected to question Commission representatives on EU action to prevent and prepare for these recurring extreme weather events.
With over 1 million hectares or 10,000 km² of EU land burned by wildfires in 2025, the EU is preparing its largest-ever wildfire response for the 2026 summer, including pre-positioning 777 firefighters from 14 European countries in high-risk areas across Cyprus, Greece, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal.