Through its Civil Protection Mechanism, the European Union immediately responded to a request for assistance from the Austrian authorities, submitted on 29 October, to fight forest fires in Lower Austria (Hirschwang region), the European Commission announced on Wednesday 3 November.
Two Canadair CL-415 firefighting aircraft, based in Italy, have already been deployed. They are part of the RescEU strategic equipment pool.
Germany and Slovakia have also offered to provide helicopters. Both offers have been accepted by Austria and their deployment is pending.
The European Commission also activated the European Copernicus programme to provide the Austrian authorities with detailed satellite maps of the affected areas and damage.
In a statement, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, thanked the Member States that have already mobilised or offered to mobilise resources. “Our thoughts are with those affected, the firefighters and other first responders. We are ready to provide further assistance”, he said.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism can assist countries facing natural or man-made disasters, whether they are EU countries or third countries that formally request assistance. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)