European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
Helping Greece tackle the largest wildfires of the century in Europe
As high temperatures persistently affect numerous countries across Europe, wildfires continue to pose significant threats to Mediterranean countries.
On 20 August, Greece activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for the second time this summer, as new fires emerged in the north-eastern region.
Thus far, over 76,000 hectares have been burnt in Greece's Alexandroupolis region—an area nearly equivalent in size to New York City.
This wildfire marks the largest in the EU since 2000, when the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) began recording data.
In response, the EU launched its biggest rescEU aerial firefighting operation to date. Over the last few days, the EU has deployed 11 airplanes, 1 helicopter, more than 356 first responders and 54 vehicles to help the country.
In photos, see this example of EU solidarity with Greece in their fight against the raging wildfires.
The Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) has deployed 11 firefighting planes and 1 helicopter from the rescEU reserve.
6 Member States and participating countries in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (Cyprus, Czechia, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia) have contributed 6 ground firefighting teams.
More than 356 first responders and 54 vehicles have either arrived or are en route to the affected regions, including a pre-deployed team from France that was already in the country.
This operation follows the EU’s reaction to Greece's previous activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in July. Back then, the EU deployed 9 planes, 510 firefighters, and 117 vehicles to tackle the escalating wildfires.
