Wildfires: "The European Commission is taking steps to tackle their growing impacts" (J. Roswall)

"The risk of wildfires is increasing and the European Commission is taking steps to tackle their growing impacts. What is new is that the focus is on the whole chain - awareness-raising, prevention, response and recovery", declared Jessika Roswall, on 25/03/2026.

The European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy presented the Commission's Communication on Integrated Wildfire Risk Management, following the College meeting. The Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu (Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness) and Commissioner Hadja Lahbib (Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management) were also presenting this Communication.

"Our strategy is based on the old age idea that prevention is better than cure. Most fires are caused by human activity. Awareness, responsibility and enforcement remain critical", she said.

Because "well-managed and healthy ecosystems are more resilient to wildfires, at EU level we will support Member states with the right tools, with data and with funding". To help stakeholders better manage wildfire…