Wildfire emissions surge across Canada and Europe in 2025

Record emissions from Canadian wildfires monitored by CAMS

Wildfire emissions in Canada have remained well above the long-term average throughout June and July 2025, according to the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS).

CAMS reported that wildfire intensity and emissions across Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario have surpassed previous records in its 23-year dataset.

The organisation said emissions from these three provinces contributed to Canada’s cumulative wildfire carbon total of approximately 180 megatonnes as of the end of July.

CAMS said the scale and duration of the Canadian wildfire season has been unusual, with smoke transported long distances, reaching western, central and eastern Europe.

According to CAMS, British Columbia and Alberta recorded emissions significantly below average in July, while Northwest Territories produced slightly above-average emissions of around 18 megatonnes.

Southern US states and Alaska experience varying fire trends

Wildfires in southern US states also contributed to regional atmospheric impacts in July, CAMS data showed.

The Madre fire, which broke out in California on 2 July, was described by CAMS as the largest in the state in 2025, having burned 80,779 acres.

In Arizona, wildfire carbon emissions for July reached just under 1.5 megatonnes, which CAMS said was the highest total on record for the state for that month.

New Mexico’s wildfire emissions for July were the third highest recorded, behind only 2011 and 2003, CAMS noted.

Utah recorded emissions slightly above those seen in July 2024, at just over 0.8 megatonnes.

In Alaska, wildfires affected local air quality, although CAMS reported that emissions remained near the historical average at around 5.6 megatonnes.

Mediterranean wildfires break national records for emissions

In southern Europe, wildfires in Greece, Turkey and Cyprus during June and July led to several national emission records, according to CAMS.

Fires on the Greek island of Chios began on 22 June, contributing to the country’s highest June emissions since 2007.

In Turkey, emissions for June were the highest in CAMS records, with wildfires continuing into July and resulting in the highest cumulative emissions ever recorded in the country.

At least 10 forest workers were killed in Turkey during the second half of July. Two fatalities were reported in Cyprus, where wildfires led to record emissions after just two days of burning.

Joe McNorton, fire forecasting scientist at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), said:

“Probabilistic fire forecasts with the ECMWF SPARKY model have highlighted that the wildfires around the Mediterranean this summer have been the result of an abundance of fuel and severe weather conditions.

“Much drier conditions [are] driving the intensity of the fires.”

Wildfires expand across Balkans and southwestern Europe

CAMS reported increased wildfire activity in the Balkans, with Serbia and Albania each recording their second-highest emissions totals on record for July.

According to CAMS data, Serbia’s emissions were just over 0.05 megatonnes and Albania’s were around 0.07 megatonnes.

Emissions in Montenegro and North Macedonia were the third highest recorded for July in CAMS’ data.

In southwestern Europe, wildfires ignited in early July across southern France, Catalonia and Portugal.

CAMS noted that wildfires near Marseille resulted in evacuations, and similar action was taken in Catalonia, where fires were driven by hot, dry winds.

The wildfire situation continued into late July in Spain and Portugal, with firefighters working to control large-scale burns in northern Portugal and central Spain.

Wildfires in northern Scotland raise UK annual emissions

Northern Scotland experienced widespread wildfire activity at the end of June and start of July 2025, CAMS confirmed.

Fire Radiative Power (FRP) data from CAMS showed a sharp increase on 28, 29 and 30 June.

As a result, CAMS reported that the United Kingdom’s cumulative wildfire carbon emissions for 2025 reached their highest annual total in 23 years of records.

The fires in Scotland added to broader regional impacts from wildfire smoke across the North Atlantic, tracked through aerosol optical depth modelling by CAMS and the ECMWF.

CAMS said it continues to monitor global wildfire activity and its effect on air quality and atmospheric conditions.

Wildfire emissions surge across Canada and Europe in 2025: Summary

Wildfires in Canada have produced around 180 megatonnes of carbon emissions by the end of July 2025.

Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario reported their highest emissions on record.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires was transported across the Atlantic and reached multiple parts of Europe.

British Columbia, Alberta and Northwest Territories experienced lower emissions than in previous years.

In the US, Arizona and New Mexico recorded some of their highest ever emissions for July.

Wildfires in California burned more than 80,000 acres during the month.

Southern Europe reported record emissions in Greece, Turkey and Cyprus.

At least 12 people died as a result of wildfires in Turkey and Cyprus.

Wildfire emissions in Serbia and Albania were the second highest on record.

Fires in France, Spain and Portugal led to evacuations and continued into late July.

Wildfires in northern Scotland raised UK’s annual emissions to a record high in CAMS data.