As Fire Seasons Intensify, the Battle Is an All-Europe Effort

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 11, 2026

This summer, the European Union deployed nearly 800 multinational firefighters and coordinated air support to combat widespread wildfires across several member states, including Spain, France, Greece, and Italy. This expanded collaboration highlights the increasing challenges posed by longer, more severe fire seasons linked to climate change and underscores the urgent need for enhanced firefighting resources and funding.

This summer, Europe has seen firefighters from multiple countries deployed across the continent to combat an intensifying wildfire season that is expanding in both length and geographic scope. As fires rage through forests in Spain, coastal areas in France, and islands in Greece, the European Union has increasingly coordinated a multinational response effort, leveraging shared resources and personnel to address the growing threat.

The initiative, which began in 2022 with 236 firefighters, has expanded to nearly 800 this season. These teams, drawn from across the EU’s 27 member states and 10 partner countries, are managed by a 24/7 emergency response coordination center based in Brussels. This hub not only facilitates the deployment of firefighting crews but also oversees the allocation of air assets such as planes and helicopters when fires surpass the capacity of any single country.

On the Italian island of Sardinia, a region frequently affected by wildfires, firefighters from Estonia, France, and Italy worked side by side this summer. According to local coordinator Daniela Pani, the multinational teams benefit from exchanging techniques adapted to local conditions, such as Sardinians’ method of igniting opposing fires to reduce oxygen and contain blazes during periods of scarce water availability. French firefighter Grégory Fabre noted the value of the experience gained in Sardinia, which could be applied during intense campaigns back home.

The EU’s collective efforts reflect the increasing challenges faced by individual nations as climate change contributes to hotter, drier conditions and longer fire seasons. The demand for firefighting aircraft, especially Canadairs capable of scooping water on the move, has outstripped supply. Although the EU has allocated approximately €600 million for purchasing a fleet of firefighting planes and helicopters for 2024, deliveries are not expected until after 2030. Similar challenges exist among member states, with shortages of trained pilots and maintenance technicians further complicating operations.

Maria Zuber, who leads the EU emergency center’s operational unit, described the Brussels coordination team as the “last resort” for countries overwhelmed by massive fires. This year, the center has responded to 11 activation requests, fewer than last year’s record 19, but fire damage during 2024 remains close to the previous season’s unprecedented levels, with burned areas roughly double the typical size by August. Experts warn the fire season may extend into November.

Budget constraints present another hurdle. The European Commission has proposed a €10.7 billion fund to enhance emergency preparedness and response in the next seven-year budget cycle, but the actual allocation remains uncertain amid competing demands such as defense spending.

In Belgium, which suffered extensive fires in the Hautes Fagnes nature reserve in August, the government faced criticism over its firefighting readiness. Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin defended the reliance on the EU emergency mechanism, emphasizing the principle of shared resources and solidarity within the union. “No country itself can handle this,” echoed Kaarel Langemets, head of the Estonian firefighting team deployed to Sardinia, underscoring the growing need for cooperative strategies as wildfire seasons worsen across Europe.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.