EU plans largest-ever deployment against wildfires

The European Union is preparing its most extensive operation to combat wildfires this summer, deploying nearly 800 firefighters from 14 member states to particularly vulnerable areas in Cyprus, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal. This significant deployment aims to enhance the EU's response capabilities following the devastating wildfires experienced in 2025.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the initiative as "European solidarity in action," emphasizing the shared goal of protecting people, homes, and forests. The operation will be coordinated and financed through the EU Commission's civil protection mechanism. An emergency coordination center will operate around the clock to provide support and facilitate seamless coordination among the participating nations.

In addition to the ground forces, the EU will have 22 airplanes and five helicopters from its fleet available for support. A new European firefighting station is planned for Cyprus, intended to strengthen preparedness and response capacities for wildfires across Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region.

Wildfires across Europe last year burned over one million hectares, a record high, according to a report on the state of the climate in Europe in 2025 by the World Meteorological Organization and the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service. The report indicates that the likelihood of fires and the size of burned areas have increased, particularly in Southern Europe, due to climate change.

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This is European solidarity in action.