Global Wildfire Season Off to Record Start Amid El Niño Threat
The world is experiencing its worst start to a wildfire season, with over 150 million hectares (579,150 square miles) burned in the first four months of 2026, according to satellite data from the Global Wildfire Information System. This area is nearly double the seasonal average and equivalent to the size of Alaska. Scientists warn that the developing El Niño, expected between June and August, could exacerbate extreme weather conditions, including heat, drought, floods, and fires. Human-driven climate change is already contributing to record-breaking heat and drought, with new temperature highs reported in regions such as Australia, Greenland, France, and the U.S. Southwest. Sea ice in the Northern Hemisphere is at its lowest for this time of year, and ocean temperatures are nearing record highs. Early-season wildfires have overwhelmed firefighting resources in countries like Argentina, Chile, and Japan, while historic blazes have been reported in the U.S. and Southeast Asia. 
