EU provides help through the Civil Protection Mechanism for forest fires in Italy

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details IP/17/2025 (13.07.17)
Publication Date 13/07/2017
Content Type

Background and further information:

Three French air plans specialised in fire-fighting missions went to the scene to help Italian authorities to bring the situation under control. In addition to the above, the EU deployed an expert to assist in coordinating the EU's emergency response on the ground. The EU was further ready to provide Copernicus satellite mapping.

The European Forest Fires Information System recorded on 12 July 2017 a total of 24 fires that burned in Italy. Forest fires raged over a big part in the south of the country, including the regions of Sicily, Basilicata, Campania, Lazio and Calabria.

This was the third time that Italy asked for assistance from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism since its creation and the first time since the forest fires in 2009. This mechanism is being managed by the Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre, which operates on a 24/7 basis and plays a role as a coordination hub to facilitate a coherent European response during emergencies inside and outside Europe.

Italy requested in July 2017 support from the European Union through the Civil Protection Mechanism to help facing severe forest fires in its southern regions. The request was met with immediate response from the EU.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-17-2025_en.htm
Related Links
Euronews, 12.07.17: Fires flare on slopes of Mount Vesuvius http://www.euronews.com/2017/07/12/fires-flare-on-slopes-of-mount-vesuvius
BBC News, 13.07.17: Italy wildfires: Tourists rescued by boat from Calampiso http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-40590090
The Local.it, 12.07.17: Wildfires continue to rage across Italy as police blame arsonists for Vesuvius blaze https://www.thelocal.it/20170712/wildfires-continue-to-rage-across-italy-mount-vesuvius-sicily-messina-rome
European Commission: Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection: EU Civil Protection Mechanism http://ec.europa.eu/echo/what/civil-protection/mechanism_en

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