Sweden Deploys Firefighting Planes to Combat Wildfires in Southern France

Sweden has dispatched two firefighting scoop planes to southern France to assist with severe wildfires amid a European heatwave. This deployment came in response to a request made through the EU's Civil Protection Mechanism, with the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency coordinating the effort. The aircraft departed Sweden on Monday and were expected to arrive in southern France by Tuesday, aiming to help battle fires that have burned over 4,600 hectares and forced the evacuation of approximately 10,000 people, especially near Perpignan.

Sweden’s Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin emphasized the country's readiness to aid Europe in times of crisis, stating on social media, “Sweden stands ready when Europe needs our support.” The fires constitute about 20 active wildfires across France, with dangerous conditions exacerbated by strong winds and temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius due to an ongoing heatwave that has also caused over 90 drownings since mid-June.

Since 2018, Sweden has significantly bolstered its wildfire preparedness, maintaining a fleet including ten helicopters and two scoop planes, which are part of the EU’s rescEU program. This program supports shared EU firefighting capabilities and funding, with Sweden hosting some of these resources. The country’s wildfire response strategy integrates local to EU-wide cooperation, which facilitates efficient mutual support during crises.

The heatwave is spreading across Europe, with other nations like Portugal experiencing wildfires and countries in Eastern Europe recording historic temperatures. Meanwhile, tourists are seeking refuge in northern Sweden’s cooler climate. The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency continues coordinating firefighting resources via the EU civil protection framework, illustrating strong international collaboration in wildfire management.