Brussels: 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.
According to Emirates News Agency, the EU announced that 777 firefighters from 14 European countries will be strategically pre-positioned in high-risk areas across Cyprus, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal. This represents the highest level of participation since the pre-positioning programme's inception in 2022. In addition, 22 firefighting airplanes and five helicopters from the EU fleet are on standby to support countries experiencing heightened pressure due to wildfires.
As wildfire seasons grow longer, begin earlier, and become more destructive, the commission is ensuring that additional firefighters, aircraft, and expertise are prepared to supplement national services where and when the risk is greatest.
Throughout the wildfire season, experts at the EU's 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre will monitor risks and support deployments using meteorological and scientific analysis. The centre plans to bolster its monitoring with additional wildfire experts from Member States and participating countries, alongside specialists from the commission's partnerships with scientific institutions.
Moreover, the EU will inaugurate a new European regional firefighting station in Cyprus in 2026 to enhance wildfire preparedness and response capacities across Europe and the South Mediterranean region.