Firefighters and two European Union planes for firefighting deployed in Portugal

Firefighters and two firefighting planes from the European Union (EU) have been deployed to Portugal to support the country and others affected by wildfires, aiming to strengthen national capacities in the summer, the European Commission announced today.
In a statement, the institution notes that, “to prepare for the increased risk of wildfires during the upcoming summer months, the EU has mobilized firefighting teams and planes to assist European countries affected by wildfires.”
Specifically, “to quickly support local fire brigades, during the months of July and August, about 650 firefighters from 14 European countries will be strategically positioned in key high-risk locations in France, Greece, Portugal, and Spain,” Brussels indicates, stating that the number of firefighters in each country will be reinforced.
Additionally, 22 firefighting planes and four helicopters are stationed in 10 member states to intervene if necessary.
In the case of Portugal, the summer fleet supported by the EU includes two light aircraft.
“Coordinated and co-financed through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, these resources will help mitigate risks and allow for a quicker and more robust response to crises. These resources will complement national capacities,” the European Commission adds.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism coordinates the response to natural and human-induced disasters at the EU level and aims to foster cooperation between national authorities and provide rapid assistance to populations.
Moreover, this summer, 19 ground firefighting teams, each with about 30 firefighters, and a counseling and assessment team, are ready to be mobilized by the EU in close collaboration with the member states.
A specific team to support forest fires will also be created at the EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre to monitor risks and analyze scientific data.
“This proactive approach confirms the EU’s commitment to staying one step ahead of disasters, including those exacerbated by climate change, and to uniting efforts to protect lives, homes, and the environment,” concludes the community executive.
In 2024, Portugal faced one of the worst wildfire seasons in the last decade, with a total of 6,229 rural fires between January 1 and October 15 resulting in 136,424 hectares of burned area.
This number represented a 47% reduction in the total number of fires compared to the average of the previous 10 years, but also a 22% increase in the burned area.