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Fires: EU mobilizes additional planes and firefighters for Greece

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As new fires break out in the Alexandroupolis-Feres region of Greece, the EU is deploying two rescEU firefighting aircraft based in Cyprus and a Romanian firefighting team via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism . A total of 56 firefighters and 10 vehicles are expected to arrive in the country today. In addition, a pre-deployed ground firefighting team from France is already present in Greece as part of the EU's forest fire season preparedness plan.

Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič said: “Greece has already had by far its worst July since 2008 in terms of forest fires. are more intense and violent, destroying more area than before. The fire in Alexandroupolis-Feres has already damaged homes and caused the evacuation of eight villages. The EU's rapid response is once again essential and I thank Cyprus and Romania for helping the Greek firefighters who are already operating on the ground."

The aid follows the EU's response to Greece's previous activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism last month, when nine aircraft, 510 firefighters and 117 vehicles were mobilized. In addition, EU Copernicus satellite mapping is used to assess damage in several areas of the region. The Commission remains in close contact with the Greek authorities through its Emergency Response Coordination Center and stands ready to mobilize additional assistance if needed.

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