The European Red plan activated for the fires in Greece
(BRUSSELS2) The fires in Greece in Keratea in southern Attica (50 km south of Athens) have reached such intensity that Greece has asked its neighbors for help. The European Civil Protection Mechanism has thus been "activated“in the night, we specify on the side of the European Commission. “Fires are threatening residential areas. Greece needs firefighting vehicles such as Canadair CL/415 water bombers to support its own forces engaged in the campaign. » On the spot, the situation is difficult. 3 firefighters were injured according to the local press. While strong winds prevented the use of planes to bail out from the lake on Saturday afternoon, reports the daily Ekatimerini. The Greeks have committed 4 planes and 1 helicopter to assist the firefighters on the ground (75 vehicles and nearly 300 firefighters).
Italian Canadairs to the rescue
Several countries immediately responded to this call for help: the Italian Civil Protection Directorate, which immediately alerted 2 Canadairs with 11 crew members at the Ciampino air base. Aid accepted by Greece. The crews then prepared the equipment. And the two planes were able to leave their base at 13 p.m. to be operational as soon as possible, starting on Sunday afternoon. Each device has a capacity of 6.000 liters of water and extinguishing liquid and is able to supply itself in just 12 seconds, specifies Italian civil protection. Bulgaria also offered a fire-fighting helicopter, as well as Croatia - a newcomer to the Mechanism - which provided a fire-fighting plane. France has also offered resources.
NB: the principle of this mechanism is twofold. It makes it possible to coordinate European aid. The requesting State being free, or not, to accept the offers. It also allows common support. Once the mechanism is activated, certain costs such as transport costs are covered by the Community budget. Precious help today for several States.
