Wildfires—uncontrolled blazes that rip through natural landscapes—are becoming increasingly severe due to changing climate conditions. Extended droughts, unpredictable wind patterns, and shifts in vegetation are making it easier for fires to ignite and harder to contain them. The terrain itself and forest management practices also play a critical role in determining how these fires spread.
In 2024, the EU has already seen wildfire damage exceed the historical average. According to the Copernicus European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), the total burned area is 10% above the 2006-2023 average, while the number of recorded fires has surged by 60%.
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A Growing Crisis
The EU has been ramping up its firefighting capabilities in response to the escalating threat. Last year, the bloc reinforced its rescEU fleet, which includes firefighting aircraft and helicopters, and prepositioned hundreds of firefighters in high-risk countries. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism—activated ten times in 2023—sent aid to Mediterranean nations, Chile, Bolivia, and Canada. This year, the EU is maintaining the same level of readiness.
The urgency is clear: Climate change is extending and intensifying fire seasons. Devastating mega-fires are becoming more frequent, consuming vast landscapes and causing long-term environmental and economic damage. Between 2007 and 2024, nearly 20% of all emergency assistance requests under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism were for wildfires.
The problem is no longer confined to southern Europe. While France, Spain, and Portugal bore the brunt of wildfires in 2022, major fires also erupted in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Greece. This trend underscores a troubling reality—wildfires are now a pan-European crisis, spreading to regions previously considered low-risk.
How The EU Is Fighting Back
At the heart of the EU’s response is the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC). This operational hub monitors wildfire risks in real-time, leveraging data from EFFIS and other monitoring systems. The ERCC ensures that national authorities across Europe are aligned on prevention, preparedness, and response strategies.
When a wildfire spirals out of control, any country can activate the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for rapid assistance. Member states frequently dispatch firefighting planes, helicopters, and ground teams to support their neighbors. Additionally, the EU helps finance transportation and operational costs for deployed resources.
Scaling Up For 2024
Since 2019, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been reinforced with the rescEU fleet—a European reserve of firefighting aircraft fully funded by the EU. In the long term, the EU is investing in 12 new firefighting planes and three helicopters, with deliveries expected between 2026 and 2027.
For the 2024 fire season, ten countries—Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Portugal, and Sweden—have committed 24 firefighting planes and four helicopters for emergency use. Additionally, over 550 firefighters from 12 European nations are stationed in high-risk areas like France, Greece, Portugal, and Spain.
The European Civil Protection Pool has also expanded its capabilities, boasting four firefighting aircraft, 13 ground teams, and a specialist advisory team.
Beyond immediate response efforts, the EU is investing in wildfire prevention. Initiatives include risk assessments, research into fire-resistant landscapes, and the development of advanced early warning systems. By integrating cutting-edge technology and cross-border collaboration, the EU aims to mitigate the growing wildfire threat before it spirals out of control.
2024 Wildfire Operations: A Snapshot
This summer and autumn, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has already been activated 14 times to battle wildfires across Europe and beyond:
- Cyprus: Greece deployed two firefighting planes to combat fires in Paphos.
- Albania: Responded to four emergency requests, with aircraft and firefighting modules from Greece, Italy, and Romania.
- Bulgaria: Faced devastating fires in July, prompting the deployment of 10 planes and two helicopters.
- Greece: Suffered multiple fire outbreaks, requiring assistance from Malta, Moldova, Romania, and several EU nations, mobilizing over 350 firefighters and 115 vehicles.
- North Macedonia: Requested firefighting support twice, leading to deployments from Germany, Sweden, Cyprus, Czechia, Slovenia, and Serbia.
- Portugal: Activated the Mechanism twice, leading to aerial support from Spain, France, and Italy.
- Guatemala & Bolivia: Both countries received EU firefighting aid, with expert advisory teams and ground forces deployed from Spain and France.
A Clear Warning
A recent EU report highlights that while 2024 has seen more fires than average, the overall damage remains lower than the record-breaking 2021 season. However, Cyprus stands out as one of the hardest-hit regions, with 0.36% of its protected land burned, third highest in the EU after Portugal (1.53%) and Bulgaria (0.53%). A quarter of the affected land falls within Natura 2000 conservation zones, amplifying environmental concerns.
As climate change accelerates, so does the urgency to adapt. Wildfires are no longer just a seasonal challenge; they are becoming a persistent, year-round crisis. The EU’s response mechanisms are evolving, but the battle against these infernos is far from over.
