Cyprus has been included among the high-risk countries where European firefighting forces will be pre-positioned as part of enhanced wildfire preparedness measures announced by the European Commission.
With support from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, Cyprus forms part of the European wildfire preparedness strategy for the 2026 summer season. The island will receive two light firefighting aircraft, in addition to four other light aircraft financed through separate EU instruments.
The Commission said it is funding and coordinating the largest deployment of firefighting resources ever organised under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, as wildfires become more frequent, intense and prolonged across Europe.
Record deployment of firefighters
According to the Commission, a total of 777 firefighters from 14 European countries will be strategically deployed to high-risk regions in Cyprus, Greece, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal.
The deployment represents the highest level of participation since the pre-positioning programme for firefighting forces was launched in 2022.
In addition, 22 firefighting aircraft and five helicopters from the European fleet will remain on standby throughout the summer to assist countries facing severe wildfire pressure.
Expanded European firefighting fleet
Beyond Cyprus, the mechanism includes:
- Croatia has two medium amphibious aircraft
- France has four medium amphibious aircraft and one helicopter
- Greece has four medium amphibious aircraft
- Italy has two medium amphibious aircraft
- Spain has two medium amphibious aircraft
- Portugal and Sweden with two light aircraft each
Additional resources will also be deployed through the mechanism, including two light aircraft to North Macedonia, two helicopters to the Czech Republic, and one helicopter each to Slovakia and Romania.
The Commission noted that increasingly destructive and prolonged wildfire seasons require greater preventive deployment of personnel and equipment to support national authorities at times of highest risk.
New regional firefighting hub in Cyprus
As part of broader preparedness efforts, the Commission highlighted the establishment of a European regional firefighting base in Cyprus, which is expected to become operational in 2026.
The facility will be capable of hosting up to six firefighting aircraft and will serve as a training and exercise hub for civil protection professionals from across Europe and the wider Southern Mediterranean region.
EU monitoring and emergency response
The operational response will be supported by round-the-clock coordination through the EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre, which continuously monitors wildfire risks and supports deployments through meteorological and scientific analysis.
The European Forest Fire Information System will provide ongoing risk assessments, while EU satellite services, including the Copernicus programme, will offer emergency mapping and geospatial analysis to assist decision-makers on the ground.
European solidarity in action
Ursula von der Leyen said the deployment of nearly 800 firefighters and the availability of European aircraft demonstrated European solidarity in practice, aimed at protecting people, homes and forests.
Meanwhile, Hadja Lahbib stressed the importance of pre-positioning resources in high-risk regions before crises occur.
She said Europe was responding as one, highlighting the role of real-time coordination, firefighting aircraft, helicopters and experts working around the clock to tackle emergencies.
The Commission also noted that member states can request assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism whenever national capacities become overwhelmed, ensuring the rapid mobilisation of personnel and resources.
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