The EU is planning its largest-ever operation to combat forest fires this summer.
In light of the increasing risk of wildfires across Europe, nearly 800 firefighters from 14 countries will be deployed to particularly vulnerable areas in Cyprus, Greece, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday.
In addition, 22 aircraft and five helicopters from the EU fleet are on standby to provide support.
"This is European solidarity in action," von der Leyen said. "Firefighters from across our continent share one mission: to protect people, homes and forests."
The project is being coordinated and funded by the European Commission through the Civil Protection Mechanism.
The initiative is supported by round-the-clock coordination and assistance from experts at an emergency coordination centre. Furthermore, the EU plans to establish a new European regional fire station in Cyprus to strengthen prevention and response capacities for forest fires across Europe and in the southern Mediterranean region, it was stated.
Wildfires in Europe burned more than one million hectares last year, the largest area on record, according to a report on the state of the European climate published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service.
