The EU is deploying its largest-ever firefighting force in southern Europe to help countries battle wildfires. But is it enough, and what should Brussels prioritise?
The EU has mobilised its largest-ever wildfire response as France, Spain, Greece and Italy battle major blazes this summer. This emergency has reopened a familiar debate: should Brussels spend more on fighting fires, or on stopping them before they start?
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The EU's current toolkit spans several layers. On the emergency side, rescEU maintains firefighting planes and helicopters, backed by 777 pre-positioned firefighters from 14 countries and a new aerial hub in Cyprus. The Emergency Response Coordination Centre matches these assets to countries under pressure in real time.
On the monitoring side, Copernicus satellites map active fires and burned areas, while EFFIS forecasts fire danger up to ten days ahead, giving national authorities an early-warning edge.
Yet the European Commission's own March 2026 strategy shifted emphasis toward prevention: land management, firebreaks, stricter building rules and ecosystem restoration. Officials have acknowledged that once a fire front stretches for kilometres, aircraft can only contain it, not put it out.
Should the EU invest in more planes and firefighters, sharper satellite forecasting, or a bigger push on prevention? Our poll is anonymous and takes only a few seconds to complete. The results will be featured across EU-wide XL coverage, in videos, articles and newsletters, and will help shape our reporting as we examine how Europe can secure its position in the age of artificial intelligence.