The EU has put together teams of firefighters and aircraft to help European countries affected by wildfires to prepare for the increased wildfire risk during the upcoming summer months.
Throughout July and August, almost 650 firefighters from 14 European countries will be strategically positioned in key high-risk locations in France, Greece, Portugal, and Spain to quickly support local fire brigades.
They will boost the number of firefighters in each country.In addition, 22 firefighting airplanes and 4 helicopters will be stationed in 10 Member States to intervene in case of need. Coordinated and co-financed via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, these resources will help mitigate risks and enable a faster and more robust crisis response. These assets come on top of national capacities.
Overview of EU supported summer fleet
- France: Four medium amphibious airplanes and one helicopter.
- Greece: Four medium amphibious airplanes.
- Croatia: Two medium amphibious airplanes.
- Italy: Two medium amphibious airplanes.
- Spain: Two medium amphibious airplanes.
- Sweden: Four light planes.
- Portugal: Two light planes.
- Cyprus: Two light planes.
- Czechia: Two helicopters.
- Slovakia: One helicopter.
In addition, a further 19 ground firefighting teams, of around 30 firefighters each, and one advisory and assessment team, are ready to be mobilised by the EU in close collaboration with Member and Participating States via the Mechanism.A dedicated wildfire support team will be established at the EU’s 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre to monitor risks, analyse scientific data.This proactive approach confirms the EU’s commitment to staying one step ahead of disasters, including those worsened by climate change, and to joining forces to protect lives, homes and the environment.
Background
Wildfire prevention, preparedness and response go hand in hand to save lives, protect livelihoods and safeguard the environment. Having experienced wildfire experts, well-trained firefighters, effective information technology, and various response assets at hand makes a real difference.
Any country in the world affected by wildfires can request assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). Once activated, the EU’s 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre coordinates and co-finances the delivery of assistance, offered voluntarily by EU Member States and ten additional UCPM Participating States (Iceland, Norway, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Türkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Moldova and Ukraine).
In addition, the EU has created the European Civil Protection Pool (ECPP) to ensure a critical number of readily available civil protection capacities, allowing for a stronger, faster, and more coherent collective response to disasters. It brings together resources from 27 Member States and ten UCPM Participating States, ready for deployment to disaster zones at short notice. These resources may include firefighting teams, experts, or specialised equipment. The ECPP operates on voluntary contributions, which are then assessed and certified by the EU. The final decision to deploy these assets remains with the contributing countries.
Should an emergency require additional life-saving assistance, the EU’s own strategic reserve, rescEU, can step in to provide extra resources to respond to disasters affecting Europeans. It includes a fleet of firefighting aircraft, medical evacuation airplanes, a stockpile of medical items and field hospitals, and more. rescEU operates by providing grants to Member States to acquire these capacities, with the European Commission holding the final decision on their deployment.
The EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre also monitors the development of wildfires with the support of early warning systems such as the European Forest Fire Information System, while the EU’s Copernicus emergency satellite mapping service complements operations with detailed information from space.
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Quote(s)
Extreme heat and wildfires in Europe have sadly become the new normal. 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. This wouldn’t be possible without a strong team effort across borders – thank you to Spain and to all other countries working together to make Europe safer in the face of this changing reality.
Source – EU Commission
Press Remarks by Commissioner Lahbib in Spain on Preparations for the Wildfire Season
Madrid, 26 May 2025
“Check against delivery”
Thank you for your warm welcome and for the fascinating meeting with the 43rd Air Forces Group and the demonstration of the Canadair simulator. These Canadair planes are truly something to be proud of – they save lives.
Today we remember those who lost their lives in the terrible floods in Valencia last year. Our thoughts are with their loved ones, as well as with the communities affected by the recent power outage in April. This power outage highlights the scale of the risks our societies face today.
The European Union stood in solidarity with Spain.
I would like to pay tribute to the firefighter who lost his life in Barcelona while courageously performing his duties. Firefighters carry out remarkable work, often at great personal risk. I take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to them.
I would also like to thank Spain for consistently showing solidarity and playing an active role in our European Civil Protection Mechanism. In recent months, Spain received seven patients following a nightclub fire in North Macedonia. You have evacuated more than thirty patients from Gaza. And just last year, you responded to five wildfire emergencies, by deploying rescEU Canadair airplanes to Portugal and Bulgaria. You also sent firefighting teams to Guatemala and Bolivia.
This is European solidarity in action.
I am here at the start of the summer season — with expected heatwaves and the dangers they pose — to show our commitment to being prepared together. Wildfires continue to be one of Europe’s biggest disaster risks. Last year, the destruction of the world’s forests reached its highest level ever, largely due to the rise in fires. They destroyed an area the size of Italy.
These fires are becoming more intense and spreading into new regions, as the length of the wildfire season increases every year. This is a direct threat to our societies, so we must be prepared. And that is precisely what we are doing in the EU.
Just a few months ago we launched our new Preparedness Strategy. It is concrete, operational, and it will make us safer, including against wildfires. We are looking at all scenarios and involving all institutions and every citizen. Spain will be an important part of this new Strategy because in many areas, you are on the frontlines of the battle against wildfires and floods.
The EU is stepping up its support all our Member States, including Spain. That is why our Union Civil Protection Mechanism pays special attention to the growing threat of wildfires.
In the EU, we take wildfires extremely seriously, and we are doing more to prepare for them. I am proud to announce today our measures to respond quickly and decisively to this threat.
First, this summer almost 650 firefighters from 14 European countries will be strategically prepositioned across high-risk areas in France, Greece, Portugal, and Spain. This will get help to local fire brigades fast when fires break out. Thank you to Spain for hosting these teams.
Second, EU Member States have pooled 22 firefighting planes and 4 helicopters through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. They are stationed in 10 countries including in Spain ready to help to respond to requests for assistance quickly. This year, Spain will host two rescEU Canadair Aircrafts. I would like to thank you for that.
Third, a dedicated Wildfire Support Team will be established at the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre during the wildfire season to ensure a fast and efficient coordination and response.
We are also strengthening our overall firefighting capabilities. The EU will fund twelve new Canadair aircraft and five helicopters, stationed across different Member States. Spain will host two of these Canadairs. The first helicopter will be ready in 2026 and the first aircraft by early 2028.
We also need to sharpen our understanding of how wildfires start, spread, and behave. Spain is a frontrunner in this field, so we want to work with you to share that know-how across our Civil Protection Mechanism. These efforts are part of a more integrated wildfire risk management approach at EU-level.
The EU is taking a 360-degree approach to our preparedness. We are building a new culture of preparedness across our Continent. This includes strengthening our prevention, risk management, long-term resilience, and effective communication.
Working together, Spain and the EU will be stronger, safer, and better prepared.
Source – EU Commission