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The number of requests for solidarity in Europe to tackle wildfires this week reached the same tally as the 2024 fire season, the European Commission announced Thursday.
“Overall, this mechanism has been activated 16 times during the current season, and is mid-August,” European Commission spokesman Eva Furunsilova told reporters Thursday. “This is already equal to the total amount of revitalization throughout the entire season last summer.”
Spain became the latest country to look at mechanisms on Wednesday, demanding for the first time ever European solidarity against wildfires.
At least 3 people He died in Spain, including volunteer firefighters, as the Air Force cleaned up the northwest Leon province.
Two planes from the Resceu Strategic Reserve, currently stationed in France, were expected to be deployed to Spain on Thursday.
Bulgaria, Montenegro, Albania and Greece also sought support this week.
Traditionally affected by wildfires, Spain and Greece are one of the EU member states where foreign firefighters have been pre-located in the soil since July.
total 650 firefighters from 14 European countries Pre-released in high-risk regions – the highest number since the scheme was launched in 2022 – France and Portugal also welcomed foreign teams.
Among the other European countries that have energized the mechanisms of wildfire this year are Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia. Israel and Syria are also demanding support.
The way it works is that countries that need assistance are EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) What they need and other conditions that are part of the mechanism can be contributed individually by volunteer equipment and personnel. The EU’s civil protection mechanism coordinates various contributions and foot deployments.
France fought the largest wildlife on the South Coast earlier this month Department They did not seek further European aid from Aude.
“It’s a decision on whether to seek support from member states. The great powers have usually had great capabilities and have increased their capabilities in the past due to the effects of global warming and the frequent wildfires,” European Commission spokesman Hrncirova explained Thursday.
“We can see very well that it’s very common to be useful in smaller countries. There are often requests from the western Balkans, Albania, Montenegro and Macedonia. So in these countries support is really important,” she added.
According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), by August 12, more than 511,000 hectares had turned to ashes in the EU, with more than twice the average tally being simultaneously tallyed over the 2006-2024 period.
The number of fires observed since the beginning of the year reached over 1,600, a jump from an average of 717 seen up to the same date over the past 20 years.
