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European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
News article7 June 2022Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)

Forest fires: EU mobilises support to Albania

Fire fighter plane in the midsts of smokey clouds
© Hellenic Fire Corps, 2021

The EU has swiftly mobilised support for Albania in fighting forest fires on the island of Sazan, Vlora municipality.

Via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the EU has coordinated the deployment of a firefighting airplane from Greece to assist 250 Albanian ground forces in limiting the spread of the fires.

Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: “Throughout this year's forest fire season, the EU stands ready to coordinate and finance European firefighting operations to help saves lives, livelihoods and preserve our forests. I thank Greece for swiftly deploying their firefighting airplane to the Sazan island off the Albanian coast. The EU stands ready to provide further assistance to the country if requested.”

In addition, Greece also activated the EU’s Copernicus satellite service over the weekend to monitor fires in southern Athens, for damage assessment of infrastructure, houses and buildings.  

The EU’s 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre stands in constant contact with the Albanian and Greek civil protection authorities to closely monitor the situation and EU-led assistance.