European response to Greece wildfires

The European Union has mobilised emergency support for Greece and Albania in response to severe wildfires, as reported by the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated to facilitate this response, with the European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) coordinating firefighting efforts from various member states.

To assist Greece, the ERCC has dispatched both aerial and ground resources, including two rescEU firefighting planes from Italy, a rescEU helicopter from France, and a helicopter provided by Serbia.

Ground teams from Czechia, France, Italy, Serbia, and Romania have also been deployed.

Additionally, firefighters from Romania, Malta, and Moldova, who were already stationed in Greece, have joined the efforts to combat the flames.

Assistance to Albania amid the crisis

In Albania, the EU’s response includes the deployment of a multipurpose military plane from Romania, which has a capacity of 6 tons of water.

This aircraft is set to arrive on 14 August to aid in firefighting efforts.

The Commission continues to monitor the situation closely and is prepared to provide additional assistance if necessary.

The mobilisation of resources is part of the EU’s broader preparedness for the current wildfire season.

The EU has bolstered its rescEU and European Civil Protection Pool, which now consists of 28 planes and 4 helicopters stationed across 10 Member States.

More than 540 firefighters from 12 countries are prepositioned in key locations across Europe, ready to support local efforts.

France, Italy, and Czechia contribute additional resources

France, Italy, and the Czech Republic have each committed further resources to support Greece’s firefighting operations.

France is sending a Super Puma helicopter equipped with a water bucket, alongside 180 civil security firefighters and 55 lorries.

Italy is contributing two Canadair firefighting aircraft, and the Czech Republic is dispatching 75 firefighters with 25 vehicles, including nine waterborne units.

Additional assistance from Spain and Turkey is anticipated in the coming days.

Greece has deployed around 670 firefighters to combat the fires, which the national fire department spokesman, Vassileios Vathrakogiannis, described as “exceptionally dangerous.”

Local residents face fire threat

Residents in the affected areas of Greece have faced the immediate threat of encroaching wildfires.

Spyros Gorilas, a resident of Dioni, described the harrowing conditions: “The wind would go in one direction and then in the other. The smoke was suffocating. You couldn’t see. Your eyes teared up. You couldn’t breathe.”

Another resident, Giannis Alvanos, who had recently rebuilt his home after losing it to a fire two years ago, evacuated when ordered but returned to protect his property.

“I didn’t want to lose my property for a second time,” Alvanos said, while commending the firefighters for their rapid response.

Wildfires are a common occurrence in Greece during the hot and dry summer months, but experts warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of these fires.

Last year, wildfires in Greece resulted in over 20 deaths.

European Commission activates Civil Protection Mechanism to aid Greece and Albania amidst wildfires: Summary

The European Union has activated the Civil Protection Mechanism to provide emergency support to Greece and Albania, both severely affected by wildfires.

The European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) has coordinated the mobilisation of aerial and ground firefighting resources from several member states.

In Greece, resources include planes, helicopters, and ground teams from various European countries.

In Albania, a multipurpose military plane from Romania will be deployed.

The EU’s preparedness measures for this year’s wildfire season have been enhanced, with additional aircraft and firefighters prepositioned across Europe.

France, Italy, and Czechia have contributed further assistance, with more aid expected from Spain and Turkey.

Local residents in Greece have been severely impacted, with some evacuating and others attempting to protect their homes.

Climate change is believed to be increasing the severity of these wildfires.