On request – forest fires: EU wants to buy firefighting planes

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After the many forest fires, the European Union (EU) now wants to buy fire-fighting aircraft. Talks are reportedly being held with several manufacturers. Since June, EU firefighting aircraft have been in service in Portugal, Slovenia and France. In addition, 200 firefighters have been deployed in Greece to support local teams in fighting the fire.

“The planes are bought by member states, but 100 percent financed by the European Union,” EU Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarcic said on Tuesday. The EU is currently coordinating and financing the deployment of 12 firefighting aircraft and one helicopter, which can be deployed by Member States. This year, the EU has received five aid requests so far, up from nine in 2021. The fire-fighting planes have been in Portugal, France and Slovenia since June.

Fires rage in southern France and Crete
Several forest fires are currently raging in Europe. The fires on France’s Atlantic coast have spread further, setting fire to 19,300 hectares of land south of Bordeaux within a week. The fire service had to contend with strong winds on Tuesday. In Teste-de-Buch a retirement home had to be evacuated. In total, more than 34,000 people in southern France have left their homes since the severe wildfires started a week ago. Animals were not spared either. Some 370 zoo animals were temporarily housed. In one case, near Landiras, investigators now suspect arson. The police have arrested a man.

More than 1,850 hectares have burned down so far on the Greek holiday island of Crete. “These are mainly olive trees. Many people have no income at all,” said the mayor of the region, Giannis Tatarakis. The fires have mainly destroyed large tracts of agricultural land. The fire brigade was able to contain the fire with fire fighting helicopters, planes and hundreds of emergency services and volunteers. Nevertheless, the risk of fires across southern Greece remains high due to drought and high winds, civil defense officials warned Tuesday.

Negligent Behavior in Italy
A major forest fire broke out in Italy on Monday evening in the municipality of Massarosa north of Pisa. According to the Tuscan Civil Protection, winds have pushed the flames further overnight, after which homes have been threatened. About 30 people were therefore taken to safety. Three helicopters, two fire-fighting planes and twelve units were deployed here. Meanwhile, Italian authorities have repeatedly blocked a road bridge connecting Lucca and Viareggio. In addition, forest and forest fires continue to break out on the popular holiday islands of Sardinia and Sicily. In addition to the ongoing drought, negligent behavior or arson would also be behind it.

In some countries, such as France and Spain, where 25,000 hectares of forest have already been destroyed, it is expected to cool down in certain areas in the coming days.

Source: Krone

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