EU Unveils 300-Strong Firefighting Force to Combat European Wildfires

EU Unveils 300-Strong Firefighting Force to Combat European Wildfires

The European Union has announced the creation of a continentwide rapid reaction force comprising 300 firefighters, aimed at swiftly tackling wildfires across its 27 member states. This initiative comes in response to the catastrophic wildfire season of 2025, which was exacerbated by the effects of climate change.

Commissioner Announces Force Following Ministers' Meeting

EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra revealed the details of the new unit on Friday, following a gathering of environment and climate ministers in Nicosia, Cyprus. Hoekstra described the force as a significant advancement in the bloc's wildfire response capabilities, stating it represents "a huge step forward compared to some five years ago."

He emphasised that the decision to establish the force was made over the past year, highlighting it as a clear demonstration of European solidarity. "It is a clear sign of solidarity and that we want to tackle this together," Hoekstra told reporters at a press conference.

The commissioner acknowledged that the unit may eventually require additional personnel and equipment but stressed its immediate importance. Specific details regarding the force's base of operations and its readiness for the upcoming summer wildfire season were not disclosed.

Background: A Response to Europe's Worst Wildfire Year

The announcement follows a dire 2025 wildfire season, which a study by World Weather Attribution (WWA) identified as Europe's worst on record. The research, released in August 2025, found that climate change significantly intensified the summer wildfires in southern Europe.

The study's key findings include:

• Wildfires in 2025 were 22% more intense than previous years.
• Winter rainfall preceding the fires had decreased by approximately 14% since the pre-industrial era.
• Due to climate change, weeklong periods of hot, dry air that create tinderbox conditions are now 13 times more likely.

The fires, which ravaged the eastern Mediterranean in June and July 2025, were fuelled by temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), severe drought, and powerful winds. The devastation resulted in:

1. 20 fatalities.
2. The evacuation of 80,000 individuals.
3. The destruction of over 1 million hectares (2.47 million acres) of land.

Broader EU Strategy and Regional Hub Plans

This new force aligns with broader EU efforts to enhance wildfire preparedness. In September 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans for a regional firefighting hub based in Cyprus. This hub is intended not only to support EU nations but also to provide assistance to Middle Eastern countries confronting major wildfires.

In her annual address to the European Parliament, von der Leyen underscored the urgency of the situation, noting that summers are becoming "hotter, harsher and more dangerous." She argued that the EU must "give ourselves the tools" to combat wildfires that are increasingly severe due to climate change.

The establishment of the 300-strong force marks a concrete step in implementing this strategy, aiming to provide a coordinated, rapid response to future wildfire emergencies across the European continent.