With wildfire risks rising across Europe, the European Commission is helping finance and coordinate the deployment of a record number of firefighters, aircraft and emergency experts under the Civil Protection Mechanism.
777 firefighters from 14 European countries will be strategically pre-positioned in high-risk areas across Cyprus, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal. This is the highest level of participation since the pre-positioning programme’s launch in 2022. In parallel, 22 firefighting airplanes and 5 helicopters from the EU fleet are ready to support countries under pressure.
As wildfire seasons become longer, earlier and more destructive, the Commission is making sure additional firefighters, aircraft and expertise are ready to back up national services when and where the risk is highest.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “Firefighters from across our continent share one mission: to protect people, homes and forests. As part of our largest-ever operation, nearly 800 firefighters will be pre-positioned where the risk is highest. With European aircrafts ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. This is European solidarity in action.”
Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, countries affected by wildfires can request operational assistance when national capacities are overwhelmed. The Emergency Response Coordination Centre ensures uninterrupted operations by coordinating offers of assistance and supporting the deployment of personnel, equipment, and specialised capacities provided by participating countries.
More information is available in the press release
Détails
- Date de publication
- 2 juin 2026
- Auteur
- Représentation au Luxembourg