26/07/2021 (Agence Europe) – As announced by the European Commission on Sunday 25 July, the EU has mobilised immediate assistance from France and Greece in response to Italy’s request under the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism to help fight forest fires in Sardinia. France and Greece are each deploying two Canadairs. The aircraft proposed by France come from the European civil protection pool, and those chosen by Greece are part of the RescEU fleet. “The EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre (...) remains in close contact with the Italian authorities to monitor developments on the ground and to coordinate any further assistance needed,”, explained Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič. As of 25 July, more than 4,000 hectares had burned and 355 people had been evacuated. (CG)