EU has almost 650 firefighters ready to support Portugal

Around 650 firefighters from 14 European Union (EU) countries are prepared to fight the fires expected in the coming months in the most sensitive regions of Portugal, Spain, Greece and France, the European Commission revealed this Thursday.

In a statement, the EU executive reported that “almost 650 firefighters from 14 EU countries are strategically positioned in high-risk locations in France, Greece, Portugal and Spain”, increasing the “number of firefighters in each country”.

The European Commission gave an example of the support provided by firefighters from Bulgaria in fighting the fires in Chalkidiki, Greece , this week.

Under the European Civil Protection Mechanism, 22 aircraft are also available to fight fires and four helicopters.

Any Member State can request assistance through the European Civil Protection Mechanism.