In 2026, almost 700,000 hectares have already burned in the EU, with 16 member states recording burned areas above their national average.

Omissions

• The Joint Research Centre's precise figure for the EU as of 16 September 2026 was 668,035 hectares of area affected by fires — slightly below the 'almost 700,000 hectares' cited; EFFIS 'estimated' totals for EU countries reach higher values (up to 753,922 ha) depending on methodology.
• The claim omits the crucial comparative context that 2025 was the worst year on record for EU burned area, with more hectares burned by the same date in 2025 than in 2026.
• The '16 Member States above their national average' figure is corroborated by an independent news agency (Hina) reporting the Commission/EFFIS data; no separate primary statistics page explicitly publishing the count of 16 Member States above average was located.
• The exact figure does not appear identically across sources (668,035 mapped vs ~700,000 cited), reflecting different mapping/estimation methods in EFFIS.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Commission — Joint Research Centre, Current wildfire situation in EuropeAs of 16 September 2026, the area affected by fires has reached 668 035 hectares. This is below the area recorded by the same date in 2025 (the worst year on record) but exceeds the long-term average of the last 20 years (2006–2025) of 346 567 ha.
• PrimaryEFFIS / Copernicus Emergency Management Service — Statistics PortalEFFIS Burned Area (ha, Year-to-Date). Total EU Countries. Mapped 716226 (53% forest); Estimated 753922.
• SecondaryHina (Croatian news agency)ZAGREB, 15 Sept (Hina) - Around 700,000 hectares of land were burned by wildfires in the European Union in 2026, with 16 member states recording burned areas above their national average.