EU deploys firefighters and aircraft ahead of wildfire season
The European Union is deploying hundreds of firefighters and dozens of aircraft across the continent to support member states as they brace for a potentially intense wildfire season this summer, the European Commission said on Monday.
To strengthen national response capacities and ensure rapid intervention in high-risk regions, nearly 650 firefighters from 14 European countries will be stationed throughout July and August in key locations in France, Greece, Portugal, and Spain. These teams will work alongside local fire brigades, providing reinforcement during the peak fire months.
In parallel, the EU is positioning 22 firefighting airplanes and four helicopters in 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.
All assets are coordinated and co-financed under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and are intended to operate alongside national resources. In addition to aerial support, the EU has 19 ground firefighting teams, each consisting of around 30 firefighters, on standby for deployment, as well as an advisory and assessment team that can be mobilised in close collaboration with member and participating states.
To manage the response, a dedicated wildfire support team will operate from the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Center, which functions 24/7. The team will monitor wildfire risks, analyze scientific data, and coordinate the use of EU assets in real time.
“Extreme heat and wildfires in Europe have sadly become the new normal,” said Hadja Lahbib, EU commissioner for equality, preparedness and crisis management, during a visit to Spanish civil protection authorities in Madrid on Monday. “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.”
She stressed that the deployment would not be possible without strong cross-border cooperation and thanked Spain and other participating countries for their contributions to a collective effort to make Europe safer in the face of climate-driven challenges.
