Wildfires in Spain: Two Italian Canadair Aircraft Deployed
A Department representative and a National Fire and Rescue Service official are also on site
Following a request for firefighting support from the Spanish authorities to the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) in Brussels, the Italian Government, through the Civil Protection Department, is coordinating the deployment of two Canadair firefighting aircraft to assist in combating the extensive wildfires affecting Spain.
Favourable weather conditions in our country, as assessed in the wildfire risk bulletins, have enabled the deployment of the two firefighting aircraft to support local teams. Should conditions in Italy deteriorate, the Canadair aircraft will be promptly redeployed.
The aircraft, which have just taken off from Ciampino Airport, will be based in Madrid and will help fight the wildfires threatening the Cenicientos area. To support the teams, consisting of pilots and experts, and to ensure effective coordination with local authorities, officials from the Italian Civil Protection Department and the National Fire and Rescue Service will also be on site.
The two firefighting aircraft were deployed as rescEU-IT resources under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM).