Müge Okur
With the arrival of summer, the Mediterranean basin is once again battling wildfires. Forest fires are no longer merely a seasonal disaster; driven by climate change, prolonged droughts and extreme heatwaves, they are becoming an increasingly destructive global threat with each passing year. This situation clearly demonstrates that it is not enough for countries to act alone in the fight against wildfires.
In line with this understanding, the European Union is waging a joint fight against forest fires by establishing a strong network of solidarity amongst its member states. The European Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) aims to prevent disasters from escalating by providing personnel, aircraft and technical equipment support to countries in need at short notice.
The most recent example of this approach was seen during the major forest fires that occurred in Portugal and France in July. Following the fires, which broke out simultaneously in multiple locations and reduced thousands of hectares to ashes, both countries activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism. At France’s request, the European Commission swiftly deployed four rescEU fire-fighting aircraft from Sweden and Cyprus to the region. Following Portugal’s call for assistance, 118 firefighters and 45 vehicles from Spain arrived on the scene within just a few hours; three rescEU fire-fighting aircraft from Italy and Spain also joined the effort.
The European Union has established its largest-ever preparedness capacity for the 2026 fire season. A total of 777 firefighters from 14 European countries have been strategically deployed to operate in high-risk areas such as Cyprus, Greece, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal. In addition, 22 fire-fighting aircraft and five helicopters from the EU fleet are on standby to provide immediate support to countries in need. This preparedness demonstrates just how important it is to plan before a fire starts, rather than after it has begun.
The words of Hadja Lahbib, the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, also sum up this spirit of solidarity: “Every minute counts. The European Civil Protection Mechanism has once again provided rapid support at the moment it was most needed. Europe is acting in unity to protect lives, communities, livelihoods and our natural environment.”
Europe’s success is not based solely on its fire-fighting capacity. Continuous monitoring via satellite systems, risk maps, meteorological analyses, early warning systems, under-canopy clearing, controlled burning practices and public awareness campaigns are also integral parts of this fight. The primary objective in firefighting is to prevent fires from breaking out in the first place, rather than simply extinguishing the flames.
Turkey, with its extensive forest cover, is one of the countries feeling the effects of the climate crisis most acutely. The major wildfires of recent years have destroyed not only millions of trees but also wildlife, agricultural land and people’s memories. Whilst significant steps have been taken to strengthen fire-fighting capacity, in today’s world where the climate crisis is intensifying, preventive policies need to be further reinforced.
Turkey’s participation in the European Union’s joint coordination, early warning systems, technological monitoring, international cooperation and preventive forestry practices will make a significant contribution to the fight against wildfires. For the wildfires we are witnessing today are not merely a problem for a single country, but a shared challenge for the entire Mediterranean region. Just as nature knows no borders, the responsibility to protect it is not confined by borders either.
Forests are not merely made up of trees. They are the air we breathe, the water we drink, our biodiversity and the most valuable legacy we will leave to future generations. The model of solidarity demonstrated by Europe shows just how vital it is to act collectively in disaster management. Strengthening this approach through science, technology and public awareness will safeguard not only our present but also our future.