A new report commissioned by Avincis, a company that leases firefighting aircraft, reveals that Europe is critically unprepared for an escalating wildfire crisis, attributing the increased risk to climate change, declining rural populations, and vegetation build-up. The report highlights that fire seasons are lengthening, with blazes occurring earlier and later than the typical June to September period, and spreading northward, as evidenced by a 120% increase in burned area in Sweden in 2025. Despite the EU's commitment of €600 million in 2024 to acquire new firefighting aircraft, delivery is not expected until 2027-2030, and production is hampered by bureaucratic delays and a shortage of skilled aerial firefighters due to complex licensing requirements.