In response to climate change that caused a record-breaking wildfire season in Europe this summer, the European Commission has proposed devoting €170 million from the EU budget to strengthen the ground and air assets of the firefighting fleet beginning in the summer of 2023.
In a press release posted on its website today, Thursday, the Commission stated that if this proposal is accepted, the Transitional Rescue Fleet will have 22 aircraft and 4 helicopters in addition to more quickly deploying ground teams. The fleet will also be further strengthened starting in 2025 through the Quick purchase of additional aircraft and helicopters.
“EU wildfires are growing in size, frequency, and intensity,” the statement continued, “and by October 1 data revealed a 30% increase in the area burned compared to the previous worst year on record (2017) and an increase of more than 170% on the average area burned since EU-wide registration began in 2006.
The European Union’s emergency satellite, Copernicus, provided maps to assess the damage in the affected areas, he said, adding that this season, the European Emergency Response Coordination Center received 11 requests for assistance in putting out forest fires. Additionally, 33 aircraft and 8 helicopters were deployed across Europe through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, along with more than 350 firefighters.
“Due to climate change, the number of territories impacted by forest fires is expanding, surpassing the historically affected Mediterranean countries, and last summer clearly highlighted that greater firefighting assets are needed at the EU level,” said Janez Lenarcic, commissioner for crisis management. The EU will be able to ensure a quick and adaptable response, especially in situations where flames are burning simultaneously in several Member States, by expanding our fleet of air and ground assets.
The record-breaking bushfires this summer have been overshadowed by other crises, but today’s proposal to reinforce the rescue unit demonstrates that the EU budget will continue to assist those in need, according to Commissioner for Budget and Administration Johannes Hahn. The member states of Europe remain united. The European Union is powerful, and we are prepared to use financial resources to support this unity.
In response to climate change, the European Commission suggests devoting €170 million to improve the firefighting fleet.
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