And as the world heats up, blazes like these are only predicted to get worse and more frequent.
But they are also investing in new, high-tech approaches, pioneered by an emerging segment of firetechstartups.
Telecoms specialist Dryad Networks, based out of Berlin, is one of them.
Today, we still largely rely on human sightings to detect fires.
The message were getting over and over again is that when it comes to battling wildfires timing is everything.
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They also monitor temperature, humidity, and air pressure.
A built-inmachine learningalgorithm continually trains the sensors to the specific smell of the forest they are located.
Border gateways relay potentially life-saving information directly to firefighters, who can interpret the data on a cloud platform.
Dryads data pipe also supports a wide range of compatible third-party sensors, not just its own.
We dont want a monopoly on this technology, saysBrinkschulte, who describes his company as an impact-for-profit.
More than 400 sensors have been installed in the area.
More than260,000 hectares of land across the EUhas already burnt since January an area the size of Luxembourg.
Both Rain and BurnBot are backed by the worlds first fund solely dedicated to firetech, US-basedConvective Capital.
Researchers in Portugal are even developing a drone thatdouses flamesfrom above.
The first satellite was successfully launched into low Earth orbit upon a SpaceX Falcon 9 in June.
For DryadsBrinkschulte, combining and integrating technologies like these is the best way to prevent and control destructive wildfires.
Theres no silver bullet, he says.
Story bySion Geschwindt
Sion is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy.
