The European Commission will deploy 777 firefighters from 14 countries this season in high-risk fire zones in six member states, including Spain, as part of the largest pre-positioning operation activated by the EU since 2022.
The reinforcement comes before the months of greatest danger and with an underlying paradox. Brussels is taking a further step in human and aerial resources because fire campaigns are becoming longer, earlier, and more destructive, and can overwhelm national response capacity.
The European fleet will also have 22 planes and five helicopters ready to intervene immediately when a large-scale fire breaks out. The deployment will be distributed among Cyprus, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal.
Spain will receive two amphibious aircraft and the EU mobilizes 777 firefighters
In the distribution announced by the Commission, Spain will have two medium amphibious aircraft. France will have four planes and one helicopter, while Portugal will have two light planes.
Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, argued that the deployment aims to advance the response before disaster strikes and to turn European solidarity into immediate intervention when fires threaten the population.
"When fires threaten communities, Europe responds united. Firefighters pre-positioned in high-risk areas across Europe before disaster strikes will help where needed" - Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, European Commission
Brussels maintains that the objective is to reinforce national services where the risk is greatest. To this end, it is adding firefighters, aerial resources, and technical teams in a campaign marked by the forecast of more demanding episodes.
Brussels will maintain 24-hour surveillance with Copernicus and scientific analysis
Throughout the season, experts from the EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre will monitor the evolution of risk 24 hours a day. This support will include meteorological and scientific analysis to guide deployments.
The European Forest Fire Information System will also be involved with continuous risk forecasts. The Copernicus satellite services will be added to this tool, providing emergency mapping and geospatial analysis.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, framed the plan within the largest operation carried out so far by the EU in this area and stressed that European aerial means will be able to be deployed at any time.
"Firefighters across our continent share one mission, to protect people, homes and forests. As part of our largest operation yet, nearly 800 firefighters will be pre-positioned where the risk is highest, with European planes ready to deploy at any time" - Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, European Commission
When a country sees its national capabilities overwhelmed, it will be able to request help through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. This instrument allows for the request of operational assistance from other participating States.
The European Commission also foresees that the future European firefighting base in Cyprus will become operational in 2026 with the capacity to house six aircraft and host training for civil protection professionals.