EU Doubles Firefighting Capacity Ahead of Intensifying Summer in 2023

The EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, said it is vital to have more firefighting aircraft capacity to respond to another hot summer after major devastation in 2022.

The EU reserve has increased from 13 to 28 aircraft, stationed in 10 Member States, and is ready to be deployed from June to October in the event of an emergency.

The EU civil protection mechanism has been used to send aid to countries hit by disasters, and the Commissioner believes more financial resources should be allocated to it in the future.