Many parts of Europe are facing a large increase in multi-year droughts, leading to an increased probability of extreme fires. In response, EASAC is calling for an urgent shift in EU wildfire policy – from reactive fire suppression to proactive, risk-based land management. “Europe will increasingly have to learn to live with fire and adapt society to a new challenging reality,” Thomas Elmqvist warns. Elaborated by 23 scientists nominated by their respective national science academies, the new report, Changing Wildfires in Europe, highlights the complex drivers behind the surge in wildfire risk. Many new areas, such as Central Europe and rapidly warming mountainous areas, will probably be exposed to severe fire weather.