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By: Lane Sykes
In response to the escalating wildfires in northern Portugal, the European Union has dispatched eight firefighting planes under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The planes, contributed by Spain, Italy, France, and Greece, are aiding Portuguese firefighters as they struggle to contain the blazes.
This marks the second time Portugal has called upon the Mechanism this summer due to wildfires. The aircraft, part of the rescEU fleet and the European Civil Protection Pool, receive financial backing from the European Commission.
Janez Lenarčič, the EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, emphasized European solidarity, stating, “Our rapid response, with planes from four Member States, highlights the power of cooperation in times of crisis. We are working tirelessly to ensure that those battling the fires have the necessary support.”
The EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) has also deployed a Liaison Officer to assist Portuguese authorities on-site, while continuously monitoring the situation and coordinating additional resources.
