27/07/2022 (Agence Europe) – Two fire-fighting aircraft mobilised by the EU will be operational on Wednesday 27 July to fight the forest fire ravaging the Bohemian Switzerland National Park in the Czech Republic on the German border, the European Commission announced midday on Wednesday. These aircraft, from Italy, are part of the RescEU equipment pool. They are in addition to the two helicopters provided by Poland and Slovakia respectively in response to the Czech Republic’s request for assistance from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (see EUROPE 13000/19). In close contact with the Czech and German authorities, the EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) deployed a liaison officer to Prague. In addition, the European Copernicus programme was activated by Germany to provide satellite images to first responders in the burned areas. (AN)