site.btaEU Continues to Mobilise Support to Tackle Forest Fire Emergencies

As wildfires continue to affect multiple European countries, the EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre is working 24/7 to channel assistance to help tackle the blazes, the European Commission (EC) said on Friday. 

Currently, both Bulgaria and North Macedonia are receiving EU assistance following requests to activate the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in recent weeks. In Bulgaria, a total of 10 airplanes and 2 helicopters have been deployed overall to support the country since it requested help on July 15. Right now 2 Canadairs from the rescEU reserve from Spain are operating in Bulgaria.

In North Macedonia, 3 helicopters and 6 airplanes have been deployed overall to North Macedonia via the Mechanism since it requested help on 30 July. Right now 4 rescEU reserve airplanes from Cyprus and Germany are operating in North Macedonia, with an additional availability of a helicopter from Slovenia which will start the operations on 10 August.

The EU's Copernicus emergency satellite mapping system is also providing support to Greece, following a recent fire on the island of Crete. The Commission is constantly monitoring the situation across Europe and stands ready to provide further help if requested.

Moreover, to boost preparedness measures for this summer fire season, the Commission has set up the rescEU and European Civil Protection Pool whose aerial capacities now include 28 airplanes and 4 helicopters stationed in 10 Member States, available this year to support firefighters across the continent. Secondly, more than 540 firefighters from 12 countries are strategically prepositioned across key locations in Europe, in France, Greece, Portugal, and Spain, ready to help local fire brigades if forest fires break out.