EU Campaign Pushes Disaster Prep as Wildfires Hit 669,000 Hectares
Brussels – November 03, 2026 -- The EU is running a disaster-preparedness campaign called "Wir Handeln Gemeinsam" ("We Act as One") in seven member states through December 2026, aiming to show citizens how emergency crews prepare long before a crisis hits. It launched around the 9th European Civil Protection Forum in Brussels, held under the motto "Prepare today, be ready for tomorrow."
Wildfires have already burned 669,000 hectares in 2026
Across Europe, wildfires have destroyed more than 669,000 hectares so far in 2026. That is more than at the same point in 2025, which was the worst wildfire year since records began. Floods add to the toll, causing an estimated €8.6 billion in economic losses for the EU every year.