Climate Wildfires Global

FILE - A firefighter watches as a helicopter drops water on the Summit Fire while battling wildfires in Llano, Calif., July 10, 2026.

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Wildfires are more extreme in Europe and North America, but global burning is oddly decreasing

Wildfires are more extreme in Europe and North America, but global burning is oddly decreasing

Experts say the world is experiencing two opposing fire trends because of human impact. Wildfires in Europe, Canada and the U.S. are high, and flirting with record levels in Europe. In North America, land burned this summer is at least 25% higher than the 10-year average. Meanwhile, global fire emissions hit a record low in July, thanks to reduced fires in Africa and Asia. Fires are decreasing because of changing agricultural practices, fire management and where people live. Still, scientists say climate change is making fires more extreme. Experts warn that El Niño could worsen fires in the tropics in coming months.