Image: Croatian Canadair illustration/CU
Croatia will continue assisting France in battling major wildfires after French authorities requested an extension of the international firefighting mission. At a telephone session held today, the Croatian Government approved the continued deployment of the Croatian Canadair in France, following the prior consent of the President of the Republic.
International rescEU mission extended
On 23 July, the Government approved the deployment of one Croatian Canadair CL-415 firefighting aircraft, together with two flight crews, to help France combat wildfires.
Following France’s request to extend that assistance, the Government has now approved the continued use of one Canadair CL-415 and two Croatian Air Force crews, allowing the mission to continue with the necessary aircraft and crew rotation.
The decision ensures that Croatia’s firefighting support to France can continue without interruption.
Additional aircraft approved for logistical support if needed
The Government has also authorised the possible use of additional military aircraft to support the operation if logistical assistance becomes necessary.
Under the decision, a Mi-171Š helicopter and a Pilatus PC-9M aircraft, together with their respective crews, may also cross Croatia’s border to provide logistical support for the humanitarian firefighting mission in France.
More than 26 flight hours and 1,008 tonnes of water dropped
According to the Croatian Firefighting Association (HVZ), the Croatian Canadair CL-415 was deployed to France on 24 July as part of the European Union’s rescEU civil protection mechanism.
Since the beginning of the mission, the aircraft has completed 26 hours and 45 minutes of flight operations, during which it has dropped a total of 1,008 tonnes of water on wildfire sites.
Croatia’s Canadair aircraft and its crews therefore remain actively involved in international efforts to help France combat wildfires, with the extended mission ensuring that assistance will continue in the coming days.
Wildfire Emergency Continues in France and Southern Europe
The wildfire situation in France remains serious, with firefighting operations continuing in several parts of the country, particularly in the Gironde, Landes and Var regions. According to the French Ministry of the Interior, more than 116,000 hectares have burned across the country since the beginning of the year, while European assistance, including Croatian Canadair aircraft, has been mobilised through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
France is not the only European country currently facing major wildfires. Spain is also receiving international firefighting support, while prolonged heat, drought and strong winds continue to create extreme fire danger across parts of southern Europe.
