TWO ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTING AIRCRAFT AND A REGIONAL STATION IN CYPRUS THROUGH THE EU MECHANISM - 777 FIREFIGHTERS FROM 14 COUNTRIES IN HIGH-RISK AREAS - Filenews 2/6
Cyprus is among the high-risk countries in which European firefighting forces will be deployed as a precaution, in the context of strengthening preparedness to deal with forest fires.
With the support of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, Cyprus joins the European planning for the 2026 summer firefighting fleet, with the deployment of two light aircraft, in addition to the other four light aircraft financed by other EU instruments.
The Commission is funding and coordinating the largest deployment of firefighting resources to date under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, as forest fires are becoming more frequent, intense and longer-lasting across the European continent.
EU Wildfire Preparedness 2026:
22 firefighting planes and 5 helicopters
770+ firefighters pre-positioned
24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre Upcoming European regional firefighting station in Cyprus
https://link.europa.eu/ntHWKk
According to the announcement, a total of 777 firefighters from 14 European countries will be deployed as a precaution in areas of increased risk in Cyprus, Greece, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal. This is, as pointed out, the highest level of participation since the start of the fire brigade pre-deployment program in 2022.
At the same time, as part of the European assistance for this summer season, 22 firefighting aircraft and 5 helicopters from the European fleet are on standby to support countries that may be under pressure due to fires. These forces are part of the EU's broader operational planning to immediately strengthen national civil protection mechanisms.
In addition to Cyprus, the Mechanism includes Croatia with two medium amphibious aircraft, France with four medium amphibious aircraft and one helicopter, Greece with four medium amphibious aircraft, Italy with two medium amphibious aircraft, Spain with two medium amphibious aircraft, and Portugal and Sweden with two light aircraft respectively. In addition, through the Mechanism, two light aircraft will be made available in North Macedonia, two helicopters in the Czech Republic and one helicopter each in Slovakia and Romania.
The Commission notes that, as forest fire seasons become increasingly prolonged and destructive, the need for preventive deployment of means and personnel is increased. In this context, the availability of additional firefighters, aerial means and specialised experts shall be ensured to support national services when and where the risk is highest.
The operational response, as mentioned, is supported by continuous coordination and 24-hour operational monitoring through the EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre. Throughout the fire season, the Centre's experts monitor risks and provide support to deployments, through meteorological and scientific analyses, and are supported by additional forest fire experts from Member States and collaborating scientific institutions.
In parallel, the European Forest Fire Information System provides continuous risk assessment, while EU satellite services such as Copernicus offer emergency mapping and geospatial analysis to support decision-making on the ground.
Regional station
In the context of further strengthening preparedness, the Commission also highlights the creation of a European regional fire station in Cyprus, which is expected to be operational in 2026. The station will be able to accommodate up to six firefighting aircraft and will act as a training and exercise hub for civil protection professionals from Europe and the wider Southern Mediterranean region.
The President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that the deployment of almost 800 firefighters in high-risk areas and the availability of European aircraft constitute European solidarity in practice, pointing out that the joint action aims to protect people, homes and forests.
For her part, Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Haja Labib, said that Europe is responding unified to fires, underlining the importance of proactively deploying forces in high-risk areas before crises occur, as well as the role of real-time coordination. "Together with our fleet of firefighting aircraft and helicopters and experts working 24 hours a day, we are turning European solidarity into action," he added.
The Commission points out that through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, member states can request assistance when national capacities are not sufficient, with the Coordination Centre ensuring the immediate mobilisation of resources and staff.
At the same time, the European Civil Protection Pool and rescEU are pooling pre-committed and strategic resources, such as firefighting aircraft, ground teams, emergency medical units and mobile infrastructure, with the aim of responding quickly to major crises.
The Commission also states that the Global Forest Fire Strategy is based on a comprehensive prevention, preparedness, response and recovery framework, with a focus on ecosystem management, early warning systems and cooperation between Member States, with the aim of reducing risks and strengthening resilience to fires.
According to the announcement, a total of 777 firefighters from 14 European countries will be deployed as a precaution in areas of increased risk in Cyprus, Greece, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal. This is, as pointed out, the highest level of participation since the start of the fire brigade pre-deployment program in 2022.
At the same time, as part of the European assistance for this summer season, 22 firefighting aircraft and 5 helicopters from the European fleet are on standby to support countries that may be under pressure due to fires. These forces are part of the EU's broader operational planning to immediately strengthen national civil protection mechanisms.
In addition to Cyprus, the Mechanism includes Croatia with two medium amphibious aircraft, France with four medium amphibious aircraft and one helicopter, Greece with four medium amphibious aircraft, Italy with two medium amphibious aircraft, Spain with two medium amphibious aircraft, and Portugal and Sweden with two light aircraft respectively. In addition, through the Mechanism, two light aircraft will be made available in North Macedonia, two helicopters in the Czech Republic and one helicopter each in Slovakia and Romania.
The Commission notes that, as forest fire seasons become increasingly prolonged and destructive, the need for preventive deployment of means and personnel is increased. In this context, the availability of additional firefighters, aerial means and specialised experts shall be ensured to support national services when and where the risk is highest.
The operational response, as mentioned, is supported by continuous coordination and 24-hour operational monitoring through the EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre. Throughout the fire season, the Centre's experts monitor risks and provide support to deployments, through meteorological and scientific analyses, and are supported by additional forest fire experts from Member States and collaborating scientific institutions.
In parallel, the European Forest Fire Information System provides continuous risk assessment, while EU satellite services such as Copernicus offer emergency mapping and geospatial analysis to support decision-making on the ground.
Regional station
In the context of further strengthening preparedness, the Commission also highlights the creation of a European regional fire station in Cyprus, which is expected to be operational in 2026. The station will be able to accommodate up to six firefighting aircraft and will act as a training and exercise hub for civil protection professionals from Europe and the wider Southern Mediterranean region.
The President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that the deployment of almost 800 firefighters in high-risk areas and the availability of European aircraft constitute European solidarity in practice, pointing out that the joint action aims to protect people, homes and forests.
For her part, Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Haja Labib, said that Europe is responding unified to fires, underlining the importance of proactively deploying forces in high-risk areas before crises occur, as well as the role of real-time coordination. "Together with our fleet of firefighting aircraft and helicopters and experts working 24 hours a day, we are turning European solidarity into action," he added.
The Commission points out that through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, member states can request assistance when national capacities are not sufficient, with the Coordination Centre ensuring the immediate mobilisation of resources and staff.
At the same time, the European Civil Protection Pool and rescEU are pooling pre-committed and strategic resources, such as firefighting aircraft, ground teams, emergency medical units and mobile infrastructure, with the aim of responding quickly to major crises.
The Commission also states that the Global Forest Fire Strategy is based on a comprehensive prevention, preparedness, response and recovery framework, with a focus on ecosystem management, early warning systems and cooperation between Member States, with the aim of reducing risks and strengthening resilience to fires.
