The European Union will deploy its largest ever wildfire response this summer, pre‑positioning hundreds of firefighters and aircraft across southern Europe as climate‑driven fire risks continue to rise, the European Commission said on Tuesday.
A total of 777 firefighters from 14 European countries will be strategically stationed in high‑risk areas of Cyprus, Greece, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The deployment marks the highest level of participation since the pre‑positioning programme was launched in 2022.
In parallel, 22 firefighting aeroplanes and five helicopters from the EU fleet will be on standby to assist countries facing extreme conditions.
“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,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
Wildfire seasons longer and more destructive
The Commission said wildfire seasons in Europe are becoming longer, starting earlier and causing more damage, prompting the need for additional resources to reinforce national services when risks peak.
The response will be coordinated around the clock through the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre, which will monitor fire risks and support deployments using meteorological and scientific analysis. Monitoring will be reinforced with additional wildfire experts from member states and specialists from the Commission’s partner scientific institutions.
The European Forest Fire Information System will provide continuous risk forecasts, while EU satellite services such as Copernicus will deliver emergency mapping and geospatial analysis to support decision‑making on the ground.
Cyprus firefighting hub
As part of the expanded effort, the EU will launch a new regional firefighting station in Cyprus in 2026 to strengthen preparedness and response across Europe and the South Mediterranean. The Cyprus hub will host six pre‑positioned aircraft and serve as a centre for training and exercises for civil protection practitioners.
“When fires threaten communities, Europe responds as one. I am proud of the firefighters pre‑positioned in high risk areas around Europe before disaster strikes, ready to help wherever they are needed, with the support of the EU. Together with our fleet of firefighting planes and helicopters, and experts working around the clock, we are turning European solidarity into action. When every minute counts, being prepared saves lives, protects livelihoods, and preserves our environment,” said Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism allows countries overwhelmed by wildfires to request assistance, coordinating personnel, equipment and specialised capacities from participating states. These are complemented by rescEU, the EU’s strategic reserve of emergency assets, including firefighting aircraft and helicopters financed at EU level.
The Commission said the deployment forms part of a broader shift towards integrated wildfire risk management, combining prevention, preparedness, response and recovery, as Europe faces increasingly frequent and intense fire seasons.
Source: European Commission
