EU to deploy 650 firefighters and 22 aircraft to member States this summer

Brussels – With summer just around the corner, the EU is preparing for a new season of fire emergencies in the member states. In July and August, through the Civil Protection Mechanism, Brussels will deploy 650 firefighters in high-risk locations in France, Greece, Portugal, and Spain, as well as 22 firefighting aircraft and four helicopters in 10 Member States.

The 650 firefighters who will support the local teams come from 14 member states. Aircraft and helicopters, co-financed through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, will add to the national capacities: France will have four medium amphibious aircraft and one helicopter, Greece four medium amphibious aircraft, in Croatia, Italy, and Spain two medium amphibious aircraft each. Sweden will have four light aircraft, and Portugal and Cyprus will have two. Finally, the EU will send two helicopters to the Czech Republic and one to Slovakia.

In addition, a further 19 ground firefighting teams, comprising around 30 firefighters each, and an advisory and assessment team will be ready to be mobilised by the EU in close cooperation with the Member States and third states participating in the EU Mechanism. Awaiting the 12 Canadairs and five helicopters that the EU ordered from Canada, the European Commission has confirmed should be delivered starting next year and by 2027.

Although less tragic than in 2023, nearly 370,000 hectares of land were burnt in European countries last summer — more than the annual average of the previous 15 years.