Global fire outbreaks hit record high as ‘unprecedented’ heat extremes loom, scientists say
Global wildfires have burned a record 150 million hectares from January to April 2026, 20% higher than previous records, driven by extreme heat and human-induced climate change, with Africa and Asia hardest hit. Scientists warn an impending strong El Nino could worsen droughts, fires, and heatwaves in Australia, the Amazon, and North America later this year, risking unprecedented fire seasons.
Global wildfires have surged to record levels in 2026, with over 150 million hectares burned from January to April—20% more than the previous high—according to World Weather Attribution (WWA). Africa experienced the worst devastation, with 85 million hectares scorched, 23% above the prior record, due to rapid shifts from extreme wet to dry conditions fueling savannah fires. Asia also saw severe outbreaks, burning 44 million hectares, nearly 40% more than the 2014 record, with India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and China among the most affected. Scientists attribute the fires to compounded effects of climate change and an impending strong El Nino, expected to begin in May 2026. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned the Pacific Ocean warming will trigger droughts in Australia, Indonesia, and southern Asia while increasing global temperatures. Theodore Keeping, a wildfire expert at Imperial College London and part of WWA, stated the early fire activity combined with El Nino forecasts suggests 'a particularly severe year' ahead. El Nino conditions may also heighten wildfire risks in North America, Canada, and the Amazon rainforest, potentially leading to the highest extreme fire likelihood in recent history. Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at Imperial College London and WWA co-founder, emphasized that a strong El Nino could amplify climate change impacts, resulting in 'unprecedented weather extremes.' The WMO noted the phenomenon may also cause flooding in other regions while exacerbating heatwaves. WWA researchers highlighted that while many regions’ fire seasons have yet to peak, the current trajectory—driven by drought and heat—signals worsening conditions. Africa’s fires stemmed from excessive grass growth due to prior heavy rainfall, creating abundant fuel for drought-induced blazes. The combined pressure of climate change and El Nino is expected to intensify fire risks globally as summer approaches in the northern hemisphere.
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