Over the past 2 months, 29 planes and 8 helicopters have been deployed across Europe to respond to requests for assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. They were joined by 369 firefighters on the ground and 105 vehicles.
Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: "We are facing a difficult summer in Europe, with more than 700,000 hectares burned this year, the highest value at this time of the year since 2006. So far, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated 9 times by 5 countries, with an unprecedented degree of solidarity from EU Member States. We will continue to monitor the situation around the clock through our Emergency Response Coordination Centre in Brussels and to mobilise the necessary assistance."
In addition, the EU Copernicus satellite emergency mapping service was activated for forest fires 46 times by 15 countries and around 150 firefighters from Bulgaria, Romania, Germany, France, Finland and Norway were deployed in Greece in July and August to support local firefighters.
Member States can activate the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to request assistance for fighting forest fires. RescEU strengthens the EU’s Civil Protection response by having a reserve in place which is mobilised when no other national means are available.
Dettagli
- Data di pubblicazione
- 18 agosto 2022
- Autore
- Direzione generale per la Protezione civile e le operazioni di aiuto umanitario europee (ECHO)
