The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is urging the European Union to make prevention the foundation of future policy on European wildfires.
EESC argues that the growing scale of fire risk demands a long-term strategic response rather than a continued focus on emergency firefighting.
In a new opinion responding to the European Commission’s communication on integrated wildfire risk management, the Committee says wildfire prevention remains significantly underfunded.
It is calling for greater investment, improved land management and stronger cooperation between Member States to reduce wildfire risk before disasters occur.
The recommendations come as European wildfires become more frequent, intense and geographically widespread, driven by climate change.
The EESC believes a prevention-led approach would better protect communities, biodiversity and rural economies while reducing pressure on emergency response services.
EESC member, Luís Mira, the rapporteur of the opinion, explained: “Wildfires are no longer a seasonal challenge confined to southern Europe; they are a European civil protection emergency.
“Prevention must become our first line of defence, backed by a dedicated EU budget, professional training, and a truly integrated European strategy. The cost of inaction will be measured in lives, biodiversity loss, and the future of our rural territories.”
Prevention should drive future wildfire policy
The Committee says that wildfire management must shift from reacting to emergencies towards reducing the conditions that allow fires to spread.
It recommends establishing a dedicated European wildfire prevention fund within the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework, separate from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
According to the EESC, long-term prevention requires sustained financial support that enables Member States to invest in resilience measures rather than relying predominantly on firefighting resources once fires have started.
Active land management reduces wildfire risk
A key recommendation focuses on maintaining productive agricultural, forestry and livestock activities across rural areas.
The Committee warns that land abandonment contributes to the build-up of combustible vegetation, increasing the likelihood and severity of wildfires.
The EESC argues that active land management should become a strategic European priority because it supports climate resilience, food security and territorial cohesion.
It also stresses that local and regional authorities, farmers, foresters and civil society organisations should play a central role in designing and implementing wildfire prevention strategies.
Stronger European cooperation
Alongside increased investment, the Committee is calling for a common European wildfire strategy that strengthens collaboration between Member States.
Proposed measures include enhanced professional training for firefighters and rural communities, wider deployment of innovative technologies and dual-use infrastructure, and long-term financial commitments for prevention programmes.
The EESC also highlights the wider consequences of European wildfires, noting that they damage ecosystems, threaten biodiversity, increase greenhouse gas emissions and place additional economic strain on rural regions.
With wildfire seasons becoming longer and more severe, the Committee concludes that sustained investment, stronger governance and coordinated European action will be essential to improving resilience before future fire seasons intensify.
