At a time when Greece is experiencing difficult times due to the large fires that are raging, the EU is mobilizing air and ground firefighting assistance in the country.

Specificallyis dispatching four Canadair firefighting aircraft from France and Italy together with three firefighting teams from Poland, Romania and Slovakia with a total of 220 firefighters and 65 vehicles. In addition, tyou say pre-installed ground fire teams from Romania, Bulgaria and Malta are already active in Greece within the framework of the EU civil protection mechanism and the fire preparedness plan.

THE Commissioner for Crisis Management Mr. Yanes Lenarcits said about it: “We are experiencing a heat wave across Southern Europe which is already having a devastating effect on Greece, with thousands of hectares burnt in a short space of time. The immediate reaction of the EU is necessary in this situation and I thank these five countries for their solidarity with Greece. However, it is important to continue investing in prevention and to increase public awareness of the risk of forest fires.”

Greece activated the EU’s civil protection mechanism on Tuesday morning, which led to the immediate dispatch of two Canadairs from Italy and two from France from the EU fleet, which will begin participating in firefighting operations today. Subsequently, Poland, Romania and Slovakia each offered one ground-based forest firefighting unit, including vehicles, which are currently on their way to Greece. In addition, the EU’s Copernicus satellite mapping provides damage assessment in various areas of the Attica region.

The Commission is in constant close contact with the Greek authorities through the Emergency Response Coordination Center and stands ready to mobilize additional assistance if needed.