Press Remarks by Commissioner Lahbib on the 2026 Wildfire Preparedness Package

Press Remarks by Commissioner Lahbib on the 2026 Wildfire Preparedness Package

A few weeks ago, at the end of April, my phone buzzed. It was a message from my team: “Wildfires in Belgium and the Netherlands. ERCC on alert”.

This was the end of April. Not July. Not August. April.

The Netherlands requested support through our Civil Protection Mechanism, then Czechia did the same.

Wildfires in Europe in late April and early May have never happened in the history of our Civil Protection Mechanism. This spring alone, we have already responded to fires in the Netherlands, Czechia, Germany, Italy, and Poland.

I know my phone will keep buzzing because what used to be the exception is today our new reality. Wildfire season starts earlier, lasts longer, and hits harder.

But we should not be a surprised.

Last summer, over one million hectares burned across Europe, the size of Cyprus. Almost every Member State was affected, as far north as Sweden.

Last year, our Civil Protection Mechanism was activated a record 18 times for wildfires in Europe and neighbouring countries. This is the context of why I brought you here today to our Emergency Response Coordination Centre, or ERCC.

This is Europe's crisis nerve centre. When the first spark ignites, this is where the call comes in. It is where the experts are, where we coordinate across borders, across time zones, and where speed is of the essence.

Europe is ready to answer because we have been preparing.

Today I am presenting our 2026 Wildfire Preparedness Package, the most ambitious and most coordinated ever. It is built on one simple principle: when a disaster strikes, we are stronger when we act together.

I will focus on three areas.

First, we are strengthening how we respond to wildfires. Today we have more firepower in the air than ever before. Twenty-two firefighting planes and five helicopters, on standby across twelve countries during the high-risk season, ready to deploy anywhere in Europe within hours through our Civil Protection Mechanism. This includes, for the first time, a permanent rescEU helicopter stationed in Romania.

Second, more boots on the ground, before the fires start. We are pre-positioning more European firefighters across Europe. From June to September, nearly 800 firefighters from 14 European countries will be pre-positioned in high-risk areas across Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Ready to work hand in hand with local firefighters in those first critical hours.

In 2022, we had just over 200 firefighters in Greece. This summer, we have nearly 800 across six countries. That is Europe adapting to today's new reality.

Our third focus is strengthening coordination and scientific support at European level. From mid-June to mid-September, experts from across Europe will work together right here at the ERCC. We are anticipating risks earlier, monitoring resources, and strengthening coordination so we can respond with lightning speed.

We will also rely on a new regional firefighting hub in Cyprus, a base for pre-positioning assets and training professionals. It is also a bridge of solidarity to our South Mediterranean neighbours who face the same threats.

Finally, a word on prevention.

The best fire is the one that never starts. That is why we are joining forces to prevent disasters before they happen. This is the whole idea behind the Wildfires strategy we adopted in March.

The EU is investing billions in prevention, in climate adaptation, forest resilience, and early warning systems. These projects help countries better understand the risks they face, prepare more effectively, and become more resilient to wildfires. It is far cheaper to prepare than to repair.

World Bank research shows that every euro invested before a disaster strikes can save up to ten euros in damage later on. Smart prevention saves lives and saves taxpayer money.

I want to personally thank each of you working here at the ERCC on behalf of all Europeans. You work nights. You work holidays. You are always looking out for us. That gives us all a reassuring sense of security.

My phone will certainly buzz again this summer. That is our new reality. But when it does, I know the people in this room, and our colleagues across Europe, are ready to keep us all safe.