Overview
- Researchers, who briefed reporters Tuesday, said 2026 could bring a particularly severe global fire season.
- Satellite tracking by the Global Wildfire Information System estimates about 163 million hectares burned by May 6, roughly 50% above the recent average for this point in the year.
- The World Meteorological Organization says El Niño is increasingly likely between May and July, a Pacific warming phase that tends to raise heat and dry out regions such as Australia, the U.S. Northwest, Canada and the Amazon.
- Large fires have already forced evacuations and strained responders in Chile, Argentina, Canada, several U.S. states, Japan, China and parts of West and Central Africa, with the Netherlands also seeing multiple outbreaks.
- Africa’s West and Sahel zones show record savanna fire activity linked to a whip-like cycle of lush growth after heavy rain followed by drought, while prior research finds warming has expanded burned vegetation by about 16%.