Fire is an integral component of Mediterranean ecosystems. Yet, wildfires are significant natural hazards that often result in loss of life and property while inducing adverse environmental, health, and economic impacts. Recent years have seen several Mediterranean regions experiencing more frequent and intense wildfires, including destructive and deadly events that exemplify the limitations of current land and fire management capabilities. Today, the risk that wildfires pose to human communities and the environment is changing because we are changing the conditions in which wildfires occur. Climate change, land abandonment, fuel management practices, and demographics are examples of factors whose interplay determines the likelihood of detrimental wildfire effects. In this dynamic context, advancing our understanding of the factors influencing fire activity is essential to overcome current and emerging challenges in wildfire prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery. In this session, we invite contributions that advance knowledge on current and emerging challenges of wildfires and expand the existing capabilities not only in the Mediterranean but also across the world.