Europe's firefighting aircraft set to relieve Gironde during wildfires

Bordeaux - 24 July 2026: For days, tension has hung in the air above the pine forests of Gironde. While emergency crews on the ground try to secure homes, roads and forest firebreaks, France requested European assistance overnight into Friday. The European Union Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated to reinforce French aerial resources in the fight against the fires.According to sources close to the operation, two Croatian Canadair firefighting aircraft, two Portuguese Air Tractor aircraft and heavy Black Hawk helicopters from the Czech Republic and Slovakia are to be ...