Europe's Wildfire Costs Exceed €3 Billion

The economic costs resulting from fires and the unusual heat wave in European countries in 2026 have exceeded 3 billion euros. According to an analysis by Financial Times, the costs have already exceeded the European Commission's annual estimate for the entire European Union, while the wildfire season is still far from over. The fires have destroyed nearly half a million hectares of forests and grasslands, affecting countries like Greece, France, Spain, and Portugal. The overall economic impact is expected to be even greater, including damages to properties, crops, and tourist activity. The cost of drought has not yet been fully assessed.