EU deploys aircraft and firefighters to battle wildfires

The European Union has deployed aircraft, helicopters, and firefighting teams to France and Spain through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism as both countries battle large-scale wildfires.

According to the European Commission, cited by Report's European bureau, the fires have triggered one of the largest evacuation operations in Europe, with more than 300,000 people evacuated.

The EU has sent seven aircraft and four helicopters to France from the Czech Republic, Croatia, Germany, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden, and Türkiye. Most of the aircraft are part of the EU's shared rescEU reserve.

Spain has received six firefighting aircraft from Greece, Italy, and Türkiye, along with 134 firefighters and 41 vehicles from Portugal.

The European Commission said EU resources are also assisting Tunisia. Under the rapid response mechanism, Italy has deployed a Canadair amphibious firefighting aircraft based in Sicily. The aircraft conducts daily firefighting missions in Tunisia before returning to its base.

The EU's Copernicus satellite system is providing emergency maps of the affected areas to support rescue operations. A European Commission representative has also been deployed to Bordeaux to coordinate assistance on the ground.

The Commission noted that, ahead of the current wildfire season, firefighting units from other European countries had been pre-positioned in France and Spain, allowing them to respond immediately once the fires broke out.

Under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, requests for assistance are circulated to all 37 participating countries, which can provide aircraft, firefighting teams, equipment, or experts.

If national resources are insufficient, the EU activates its strategic rescEU reserve, which includes 22 firefighting aircraft and five helicopters.