Global Fires Scorch 160 Million Hectares as El Niño Threatens a Hotter 2026
Updated
Updated · EL PAÍS USA · May 12
Global Fires Scorch 160 Million Hectares as El Niño Threatens a Hotter 2026
3 articles · Updated · EL PAÍS USA · May 12
More than 160 million hectares burned worldwide between Jan. 1 and May 6, the highest early-year total since Copernicus-backed records began in 2012.
Scientists say the fast start to fire season reflects global warming and could worsen in the second half as El Niño likely returns between May and July, lifting temperatures across most land areas.
Copernicus data already show broader climate stress: April ocean surface temperatures were the second-highest on record, Arctic sea ice was 5% below average, and the month was the third-warmest April globally.
Researchers now see a high probability that 2026 will rank as the second-warmest year on record or even surpass 2024, while warning governments are retreating from climate goals despite mounting damage.
Which ecosystems are on the brink of total collapse from this year's extreme fires?
Could this year's 'super El Niño' permanently alter our planet's climate patterns?
As megafires ignite globally, are we prepared for a world where no one can help?
2026 Wildfire Surge: Climate Change and El Niño Drive Unprecedented Global Destruction
Overview
In early 2026, record-breaking wildfires erupted across multiple continents, driven mainly by climate change and worsened by the developing El Niño weather pattern. As the Northern Hemisphere's summer approaches, scientists warn that wildfire conditions are expected to become even more severe. Experts highlight that the United States faced an exceptionally dry period from January to April, setting the stage for heightened fire danger. These interconnected factors—climate change, El Niño, and persistent drought—signal a particularly severe wildfire year ahead, with risks and impacts likely to intensify as global temperatures continue to rise.