The European Union has announced the creation of a 300-strong rapid reaction force of firefighters to combat wildfires across the bloc, following the worst year for wildfires in Europe in 2025, which a recent study linked to climate change.
EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said on Friday that the force, drawn from the 27 member states, will be swiftly deployed where needed. He described the move as “a huge step forward compared to some five years ago” and “a clear sign of solidarity”.
Hoekstra did not specify where the unit will be based or whether it will be operational in time for the summer wildfire season. In September last year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a Cyprus-based regional firefighting hub that could also assist Middle Eastern countries.
A study by World Weather Attribution found that climate change made the 2025 wildfires 22% more intense, with winter rainfall dropping by about 14% since the pre-industrial era. The fires killed 20 people, forced 80,000 to evacuate, and burned over 1 million hectares.
