The number of wildfire-related requests made to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has already reached 16 activations— equaling the total for the entire 2024 wildfire season, according to the European Commission. The unprecedented level of appeals comes as Southern Europe is once again gripped by deadly and destructive fires.
This week alone, several countries including Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Albania, Bulgaria, and Montenegro have turned to the EU for firefighting assistance. Notably, Spain requested aid for the first time this year, following devastating wildfires in the northwestern province of León that have claimed at least three lives, including a volunteer firefighter.
Two firefighting planes from the rescEU strategic reserve, currently stationed in France, were expected to be deployed to Spain on Thursday.
“This is already the same number of activations as during the entire summer season last year — and we are only in mid-August,” said European Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova on Thursday, highlighting the intensifying need for EU-level coordination amid worsening fire seasons.
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Greece and Spain Pre-Position Foreign Firefighters
As part of an anticipatory strategy, Greece and Spain — countries particularly vulnerable to wildfires — have pre-positioned foreign firefighting personnel since July. In total, 650 firefighters from 14 EU countries were stationed in high-risk areas, the largest such deployment since the launch of the program in 2022.
France and Portugal also hosted foreign teams in an effort to boost their fire response capacities.
Among other nations that have activated the EU mechanism specifically for wildfire support in 2025 are Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia. Even non-EU countries, such as Israel and Syria, have turned to the mechanism for assistance.
How the EU Civil Protection Mechanism Works
When a country faces a disaster it cannot handle alone, it may submit a request to the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), specifying the help it needs. Participating countries then voluntarily contribute equipment, aircraft, and personnel, with deployment costs covered by the EU.
“Whether a country asks for help is entirely up to the national authorities,” said Hrncirova. “Larger countries typically have greater internal capacities, which they have scaled up over time due to climate change and more frequent fires. But for smaller nations, this assistance can be truly vital.”
Over Half a Million Hectares Burned Across Europe
By August 12, wildfires had already scorched more than 511,000 hectares across the EU, more than twice the averageburned over the same period between 2006 and 2024, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).
So far in 2025, 1,600 wildfires have been recorded in the EU — a dramatic rise from the 20-year average of 717wildfires for the same date.
Source: pagenews.gr