Europe shifts wildfire planning from reaction to prevention

Wildfires have forced unprecedented evacuations across France and Spain during an exceptionally hot, dry summer. Climate change is helping fires spread faster and burn longer, while human activity — including campfires and discarded cigarettes — starts about 90% of blazes.

The EU’s response is becoming more preventive and collective. It stationed a record 770-plus firefighters in high-risk countries before summer, while its shared RescEU reserve currently provides 22 aircraft and five helicopters. This week Brussels coordinated aircraft, helicopters and ground teams for France and Spain. A permanent EU fleet of 12 Canadair planes and five helicopters is due between 2027 and 2030.

Officials also want more funding directed to forest management and public education, recognising that equipment alone cannot remove risk. The Commission proposed more than doubling crisis-response funding to €10.7bn.

There are limits. National governments, not Brussels, manage most wildfire prevention, and member states have already reduced the proposed budget to €9.1bn. New aircraft will take years to arrive. Prevention therefore depends on sustained local work as well as dramatic emergency deployments when flames are visible.

Original reporting: Reuters ↗