Ancient European landscapes were engulfed in repeated wildfires during the end-Triassic mass extinction, driven by resilient fern savannahs that regrew rapidly after each blaze.

These wildfires exacerbated ecological devastation and contributed to the mass extinction event, reshaping ancient ecosystems across parts of Europe.

The fossil evidence indicates a cycle where fires cleared vegetation but were quickly followed by the resurgence of ferns, which in turn fueled subsequent blazes.