The EU’s fire-fighting fleet - 12 aircraft and a Canadair - is operational as of Wednesday 15 June to assist Member States that are unable to overcome forest fires throughout the fire season, the European Commission announced the same day.
These water bombers come from RescEU, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism’s equipment pool, and are positioned in Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Spain and Sweden. They can be deployed this summer, at the request of any country requesting assistance.