European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
EU solidarity with France: fighting forest fires together
In August, several devastating fires have burned large areas of forest and forced people to flee their homes.
Following a request for assistance by France, the EU launched one of its largest emergency operations in the country.
Via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the EU coordinated 6 firefighting planes from its rescEU fleet positioned in Greece, Italy, and Sweden.
In addition, more than 400 firefighters with more than 100 vehicles from Austria, Germany, Poland, and Romania supported French first responders.
In a true spirit of European solidarity to face this fire emergency together, these countries sent their assistance within hours from the request for support.
At least 250 wildfires burned across France. The department of Gironde was particularly affected. In parallel, France faced wildfires in Brittany.
Other EU countries did not let any time pass to assist France in facing this unprecedented emergency. Romania dispatched their military plane to fly in fire engines, firefighting teams and equipment to south-west France.
European teams were regularly briefed at the base of operations. Claire, the EU liaison officer, ensured smooth coordination among all teams on the ground.
The joint European fire operation and some rainfall averted the wildfire from spreading even further. But the risk of new fires flaring up in the area remained the situation day and night.
