EU Launches 300-Strong Firefighting Force to Combat Wildfires

The European Union has established a firefighting unit consisting of 300 personnel to address the rising threat of wildfires across the continent. This initiative follows a challenging year in 2025, which saw an alarming increase in wildfire occurrences, exacerbated by climate change. EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra announced the formation of this “rapid reaction force” during a press conference on March 15, 2025, in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Hoekstra emphasized that the unit is composed of firefighters from all 27 EU member states, ready to be deployed quickly to areas in need. The decision to create this unit was made over the past year as the EU sought to enhance its response to environmental crises. He acknowledged that additional personnel and resources may be necessary in the future, describing this move as “a huge step forward compared to some five years ago.”

During the press conference, Hoekstra stated, “It is a clear sign of solidarity and that we want to tackle this together.” While he did not clarify the unit’s base location or whether it would be operational in time for the upcoming wildfire season, the establishment of this force marks a significant development in the EU’s approach to combating wildfires.

In September 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans for a regional firefighting hub in Cyprus. This hub is intended to assist not only EU countries but also nations in the Middle East facing similar wildfire challenges. Von der Leyen highlighted the urgency of providing necessary tools to combat wildfires that have become increasingly severe due to climate change, noting that summers are becoming “hotter, harsher and more dangerous.”

A study published by World Weather Attribution in August 2024 indicated that climate change has intensified summer wildfires in southern Europe. The report confirmed that the likelihood of such outbreaks has sharply increased. In June and July 2024, more than 600 wildfires erupted across the eastern Mediterranean, driven by temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), along with extremely dry conditions and strong winds. These fires resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals, forced the evacuation of approximately 80,000 people, and scorched over 1 million hectares (2.47 million acres).

The study revealed that the intensity of the wildfires in 2025 was about 22% higher than in previous years, marking it as Europe’s worst recorded year for wildfires. Additionally, researchers found that winter rainfall in southern Europe has decreased by about 14% since the pre-industrial era, a period that coincides with increased reliance on fossil fuels. The likelihood of prolonged periods of dry, hot air conducive to wildfires has increased thirteenfold due to climate change.

As Europe faces the ongoing threat of wildfires, the establishment of the firefighting force represents a concerted effort to enhance regional cooperation and preparedness. The EU’s initiative reflects a commitment to addressing environmental crises collaboratively, emphasizing the need for swift and effective responses to challenges posed by climate change.