The European wildfire reports point to a gap between the speed of climate-driven extremes and the assumptions in government planning. Authorities prepare for reasonable worst cases, but heatwaves and fires are increasingly exceeding those expectations. The result is pressure on evacuation systems, water supplies, firefighters and communities at the edge of cities.\n\nClimate change is not the only cause. The risk also reflects how land is used, where homes are built, whether roads allow evacuation and whether neighbourhoods have enough water and emergency access. Prevention must therefore combine climate policy with local planning and forest management.\n\nResidents need clear alerts and practical routes, while governments need updated risk maps and investment before smoke appears. Global Talks will keep the focus on evidence, accountability and the people who live in fire-prone areas.
Why wildfire resilience cannot wait for the next emergency
