"Globally, according to the latest data available, more than 350 million hectares of forests were burned in 2000. This area equals the size of India," the organisation said in a statement highlighting the international crisis.

The problem will be discussed at the XII World Forestry Congress in Quebec, Canada, which will draw together more than 3,000 foresters from 120 countries from 21-28 September.

Europe's worst-hit country, Portugal, lost about 417,000 hectares (more a million acres) than, while in France, some 45,000 hectares have been destroyed, according to FAO.

It also highlighted the extent of the problem in Australia, which lost 60 million hectares this season, and the Russian Federation, where over 23 million hectares of forest were lost in 2003 -- an area roughly equal in size to the United Kingdom, and more than double the area lost the previous year.

"This year's fire season has been one of the worst in recent history, in terms of loss of human life and damage to forests and infrastructure, which includes housing, roads, bridges and telecommunication," said Mike Jurvelius, a forest fire specialist with FAO.

FAO called on countries to share fire-fighting equipment, including aircraft, by signing mutual assistance agreements on fire emergencies. Earlier this year, Spain and Italy sent aircraft to Portugal to help local authorities cope with widespread fires that killed at least 18 people.

An international Wildland Fire Conference will be held in Sydney, Australia in October to outline protection strategies worldwide.

TERRA.WIRE