The European Union is taking unprecedented measures to combat forest fires, strengthening its prevention and response strategy with a special focus on Spain and other high-risk countries. This early deployment includes sending hundreds of firefighters and using advanced technologies to face a season marked by climate change.
Europe expands its fire shield in Spain
The European Commission has implemented its largest fire prevention device to date, mobilizing 777 firefighters from 14 member states. These teams are ready to act in risk areas, with Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus among the most benefited.
The increase in forest fires and their growing intensity, driven by climate change, have prompted Brussels to strengthen its contingency plans. The fire season starts increasingly earlier and lasts longer, posing a significant challenge for the affected countries.
In addition to specialized personnel, the European Union has strengthened its aerial capacity. The device includes 22 firefighting planes and five helicopters, equipped to intervene quickly in case of emergency.
The Emergency Response Coordination Center will conduct constant monitoring through meteorological analysis and scientific models, ensuring continuous surveillance of the situation throughout the region.
With the participation of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, countries can request international support when emergencies exceed their national capacities, coordinating human and technical resources from other states.
For its part, Spain will have two medium amphibious planes that will be part of the European fleet during the summer campaign, highlighting international collaboration in this crisis.
In 2026, a new base in Cyprus will further improve response capacity, hosting up to six aircraft and serving as a training and drill center for European professionals.
The historic mobilization of the EU reflects the growing concern about forest fires, exacerbated by more intense droughts and prolonged heatwaves. This deployment aims to protect both the population and ecosystems, facing one of the main environmental challenges of the summer in Europe.
