The European Commission has helped mobilise two firefighting planes from Greece through the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism, following a request for assistance from Albania to battle forest fires in the country. In addition, the EU’s emergency Copernicus Satellite mapping system has also been activated to help the Albanian civil protection authorities.

“The European Union stands in full solidarity with Albania at this time of need. Our thoughts are with all those affected and the local first responders working to tackle the blazes. I thank Greece for this concrete expression of European solidarity. The planes have been operating in the affected areas and will continue to do so today,” said Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides.

The Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre is closely monitoring the situation in Albania and the forest fire risk across Europe.

For more information

MEMO – ‘Fighting forest fires in Europe – how it works’.