EU wildfire response teams deployed for 2025 summer
Iain Hoey
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Firefighters and aircraft prepared for wildfire season
The European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations has reported that the EU has deployed a coordinated set of resources to assist Member States during the upcoming wildfire season.
From July to August, nearly 650 firefighters from 14 European countries will be stationed in high-risk areas of France, Greece, Portugal and Spain.
In addition to personnel, 22 firefighting aircraft and 4 helicopters will be made available across 10 Member States.
These deployments are supported and coordinated under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which facilitates shared resources and funding.
Aircraft stationed across ten EU countries
The European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations confirmed that the aerial fleet will include medium and light planes, as well as helicopters.
France will receive four medium amphibious planes and one helicopter.
Greece will receive four medium amphibious planes, and Croatia, Italy and Spain will each receive two.
Sweden, Portugal and Cyprus will each be provided with two light aircraft, while Czechia will receive two helicopters and Slovakia one.
This aerial support is designed to complement each nation’s domestic firefighting capacity.
Ground support teams ready for rapid deployment
The European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations added that 19 ground-based firefighting teams, each with around 30 personnel, are also on standby.
An additional advisory and assessment team is available for activation as needed.
All teams can be deployed through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, depending on the level of local risk and severity of active wildfire incidents.
The EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre will oversee operations and coordinate these resources from its 24/7 headquarters.
European Civil Protection Pool and rescEU capacities
The EU’s collective wildfire response includes both national contributions and reserves held through the European Civil Protection Pool and the rescEU strategic reserve.
The European Civil Protection Pool combines resources from 27 Member States and 10 participating countries to ensure rapid and scalable disaster response.
Resources include personnel, firefighting units, and specialist equipment, which are assessed and certified by the EU.
Where additional support is needed, the rescEU reserve provides further capacities such as firefighting aircraft, emergency medical stockpiles, and temporary field hospitals.
Commission official highlights joint responsibility
Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, addressed the preparedness efforts during a visit to Spain.
Lahbib said: “Extreme heat and wildfires in Europe have sadly become the new normal.
“I am glad the EU has more to offer than just words of concern and consolation: our support is tangible and makes a difference on the ground.
“This wouldn’t be possible without a strong team effort across borders – thank you to Spain and to all other countries working together to make Europe safer in the face of this changing reality.”
Lahbib’s comments followed her meeting with Spanish civil protection authorities in Madrid.
EU wildfire response teams deployed for 2025 summer: Summary
The European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations has confirmed the EU’s deployment of firefighters and aircraft to support wildfire response.
Nearly 650 firefighters from 14 countries will be positioned in France, Greece, Portugal and Spain.
A total of 22 firefighting aircraft and 4 helicopters will be stationed in 10 EU Member States.
France, Greece, Croatia, Italy and Spain will receive medium amphibious aircraft.
Sweden, Portugal and Cyprus will receive light aircraft.
Czechia and Slovakia will receive helicopters.
19 additional ground teams and an advisory unit are available for activation.
These efforts are coordinated through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
A support unit at the Emergency Response Coordination Centre will monitor risks.
The European Civil Protection Pool provides further resources from 37 countries.
The rescEU reserve can supply extra support, including aircraft and medical items.
All operations are managed under the EU’s disaster response framework.