Athens threatened by fires, EU mobilizes two Canadairs and a helicopter from Italy and France. Von der Leyen: “We stand by you”

Brussels – It is the third day of raging fires encircling the northeastern suburbs of Athens, Greece: a 23-kilometer-long fire front, 168 active blazes, and already some 10,000 hectares have gone up in smoke. Thousands of citizens evacuated, and one casualty was confirmed. “We stand by Greece,” assured European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, announcing the mobilization of air and ground firefighting resources from several member countries. 

Following the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism requested by Greece, two firefighting aircraft from Italy and one helicopter from France have already taken off, and Serbia has offered a second helicopter. A convoy of 200 firefighters with 28 fire trucks is en route from France, while the Czech Republic will provide 75 firefighters and 25 vehicles. Serbia and Romania are preparing additional aid. Already operational in Greece are firefighting teams from Romania, Malta, and Moldova, pre-positioned before the summer because of the fire season. Brussels “is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to provide further assistance if needed,” the European Commission said.

According to figures from Greek authorities, over 700 firefighters, supported by 27 special forest firefighting teams, with 190 vehicles, 17 water drop planes, and 16 helicopters, are fighting in the area. The fire started Sunday near Marathon Lake, about 35 kilometers northeast of Athens. Fueled by strong winds that quickly changed direction, they crossed Mount Pendeli, reaching the northern suburbs of the capital, especially Vrilissia. It burned several houses and businesses on the outskirts of the city and in communities near the lake. Late yesterday evening (Aug. 12), the Greek government reported that it had made progress in containing the fires thanks to a decrease in winds, which facilitated the work of air and ground firefighting forces.

June and July were the hottest months ever recorded in Greece, preceded by the hottest winter ever. To prepare for this year’s fire season, the EU beefed up the European rescEU and civil protection pool, which comprises 28 aircraft and four helicopters deployed in 10 member states. More than 540 firefighters from 12 countries are pre-positioned in key locations across Europe, ready to assist local firefighters when needed.

Albania also requested the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism as it is struggling with forest fires burning in dozens of mountainous locations in the country and, particularly in the village of Finiq, some 255 kilometers south of the capital, Tirana. The European Commission has announced that starting tomorrow (Aug. 14), it will deploy a multi-purpose military aircraft with 6 tons of water capacity to Albania from Romania.

We stand with Greece as it battles devastating fires.

The EU is sending support from its #rescEU fleet: two planes from Italy and a helicopter from France.

Firefighting teams from Czechia and Romania are also being deployed.

This is #EUSolidarity in action.

– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 12, 2024