Spain calls on EU for firefighting aid as wildfires spread

Spain has activated the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism and requested additional aerial firefighting support as wildfires continue to spread, prompting mass evacuations and emergency measures.

“The Civil Protection Authority activates the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (through the Military Emergency Unit) and requests four aerial firefighting assets,” the Interior Ministry said in a post on X.

Madrid said Greece had already responded under the EU framework, offering to deploy two Canadair CL-415 firefighting aircraft.

Authorities have declared a state of emergency in the Madrid region and in the province of Ávila in Castile and León, where fires have intensified.

Approximately 11,500 people have been evacuated as the blazes spread, while much of Spain remains under an extremely high wildfire risk alert.

By Tamilla Hasanova