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European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
News article11 August 2022Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)

Forest fires: EU sends assistance to combat fires in France

People boarding a forest fire plane carrying bags
© European Union, 2021 (photographer: Claire Kowalewski)

Following a request for assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism from France, the European Commission has dispatched 4 airplanes from its rescEU firefighting fleet positioned in Greece and Sweden.

In addition, firefighting teams from Germany, Poland, Austria and Romania are on their way to support French first responders.

On this occasion, European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said: "This fire season is particularly fierce on our continent. When a disaster puts a strain on national response capacities, countries affected can activate the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to receive European support. For the ongoing fires in France, I thank civil protection authorities and first responders from Greece, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Austria and Romania who are swiftly mobilising in support of France. The EU stands in full solidarity when a country is facing an emergency.” 

The EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre is in close contact with French authorities to support the coordination of firefighting operations, and has deployed a Liaison Officer to support with incoming EU assistance.

In addition, the EU's Copernicus satellite has been activated by France to collect data vital to first responders on the burned areas.