The European Union is taking proactive measures to address the anticipated challenges of this summer's wildfire season by deploying hundreds of firefighters and dozens of aircraft across the continent. On Monday, the European Commission announced that nearly 650 firefighters from 14 EU countries will be stationed in key locations in France, Greece, Portugal, and Spain throughout July and August to support local fire brigades during peak fire months.
In addition to ground support, the EU will position 22 firefighting airplanes and four helicopters across 10 member states. France will host four medium amphibious aircraft and one helicopter, while Greece will receive four amphibious planes. Croatia, Italy, and Spain will each have two medium amphibious aircraft, and Sweden will host four light planes. Portugal and Cyprus will each be equipped with two light aircraft, while the Czech Republic will receive two helicopters and Slovakia one.
These resources are coordinated and co-financed under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, designed to operate in tandem with national resources. The EU is also prepared with 19 ground firefighting teams, each consisting of around 30 firefighters, on standby for rapid deployment, in addition to an advisory and assessment team for real-time coordination.
Hadja Lahbib, the EU commissioner for equality, preparedness, and crisis management, addressed the gravity of the situation during a visit to Spanish civil protection authorities in Madrid. “Extreme heat and wildfires in Europe have sadly become the new normal,” she stated. “I am glad the EU has more to offer than just words of concern and consolation: our support is tangible and makes a difference on the ground.”
Lahbib underscored that the deployment would not be possible without robust cross-border cooperation and expressed gratitude to Spain and other participating countries for their contributions to a collective effort aimed at enhancing safety in the face of climate-driven challenges. As Europe braces for the wildfire season, the EU's coordinated response is set to play a vital role in mitigating the impact of these natural disasters.
