Europe’s devastating wildfires have brought to light the consequences of neglecting a sound wildfire prevention playbook. From the UK to France to Italy, Europe is in flames, having recorded one of its worst years on record amid rising temperatures and parched conditions.

>>>READ: We Know How to Reduce Wildfire Risk. Policy Is Standing in the Way 

A study published this month in the journal Global Change Biology found that if no action is taken to counter this threat, Europe could see a 39 percent increase in land burned by wildfires each year by the end of the century. 

The problem isn’t just limited to the Mediterranean region, a traditional “hotspot” for wildfire activity. Areas that historically weren’t considered vulnerable—such as the Alps in south-central Europe and the Northern and Atlantic regions—are emerging as future hotspots. In eastern parts of Belgium, a country unaccustomed to major fires, a fire broke out on August 14, shattering records to become the ‘fire of the century.’ It took a week for firefighters to contain the blaze.

Europe’s ongoing wildfires underscore the need for more effective prevention measures. Instead of reacting after a fire breaks out, public agencies and utility providers must detect dangerous fires before they ignite.

This is where companies like Boston-based Overstory are trying to make a difference. 

Overstory’s unique proposition lies in its ability to assess wildfire risk before fires have a chance to spread. To do this, Overstory leverages its AI-powered platform to flag potentially hazardous vegetation like fall-in trees near critical infrastructure, such as power lines. High-risk areas are identified via a combination of satellite and aerial data, AI-based fuel detection models, and historical and local weather trends. This real-time data is relayed to utilities to ensure responsible parties can develop targeted prevention plans aimed at reducing the risk. For instance, a dangerous tree or patch of brush identified via satellite imagery is cleared before the vegetation poses a threat to the neighboring community, potentially saving utility companies millions in wildfire-related damages and vegetation management costs (the latter is typically a significant operating expense for utilities). 

Overstory serves six of the ten largest utility providers in North America, including Pacific Gas and Electric and AEP Texas. The company has raised $69 million to date, boosted by a highly successful Series B funding round in November 2025.

>>>READ: America’s Wildfire Economics Are Backward

Unless serious steps are taken to mitigate wildfire risks, Europe will continue to experience more frequent and intense wildfires. The continent is the fastest-warming on the planet—a combination of its geographic proximity to the Arctic, cleaner air that traps less light-reflecting aerosols, and receding snow cover that exposes more barren land and soil to the sun, among other factors. Europe’s unique summer from hell has shown that investment in innovative wildfire prevention will be key to containing and controlling future infernos—not just in Europe, but around the world.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of C3.