London, UK – Researchers are raising alarms about the potential for severe wildfires this year. Climate change and a strong El Niño weather pattern could create conditions for devastating fires, following an unusually destructive start to 2026.
The global fire season is off to a record pace. So far, wildfires have burned about 50% more land than average for this time of year, according to Theodore Keeping from Imperial College London. And this is just the beginning, as the El Niño effect hasn’t fully kicked in yet.
El Niño, a natural climate cycle, impacts ocean temperatures and weather worldwide. It often brings extreme weather, including droughts and heavy rainfall. Recent data shows that the last El Niño contributed to 2023 and 2024 being the hottest years on record. Experts now predict that the upcoming El Niño could be as intense as one seen three decades ago.
Keeping warns that if a strong El Niño develops, we might face the most severe wildfires in recent memory. Already, over 400 million acres have burned this year, as per the Global Wildfire Information System. This year’s total is about 20% greater than the previous records established since global tracking began in 2012.
The situation is alarming. Significant areas of wildfires have been reported not just in Africa, but also in the U.S. and Australia, which have seen surprising amounts of land scorched.
Professor Friederike Otto, a climate scientist, points out that while El Niño causes short-term weather changes, climate change is the real concern. It creates conditions that worsen year after year. Social media is buzzing with reactions too, as users share horror stories and statistics about wildfires and climate change’s impact.
As this year unfolds, experts urge people to stay informed. An informed public can better respond to and accept the realities of an increasingly volatile climate.
For more details on climate and wildfire statistics, you can check reputable sources like the Global Wildfire Information System or climate research articles from NASA.
