08/06/2023 (Agence Europe) – European solidarity is at work to help Canada fight the worst forest fires of the last ten years. In response to a request for assistance submitted to the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, almost 300 firefighters have been offered by France, Portugal and Spain, the European Commission announced on Thursday 8 June. An expert from the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) will also be deployed. In close contact with the Canadian authorities, the ERCC is ready to deliver more aid. “Wildfires are clearly becoming more frequent and more disastrous across the world”, commented European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič, thanking the countries that had “come to Canada’s assistance at a time when Europe is also at high risk of fire”. (AN)