EU sends help from fire to Spain with increasing cases of death count

The European Union is sending two aircraft to help Spain deal with raging fires after the country activates the EU disaster assistance mechanism for the first time.

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marska told local media that he had asked for two EU water bombers to be located in the most difficult to affected areas.

The aid comes as a third party is killed, fighting a fire in the northwestern Leon region.

The Spanish state meteorological agent Aemet has warned that the heat wave will continue until Monday, with temperatures exceeding 44 ° C in some areas, causing fears that wild fires will spread further.

In an interview with Cadena Ser on Wednesday, Spain Minister Fernando Grande-Marska said he had requested two Canadair Water Bomber aircraft.

“We are not urgently directed by both Canadair aircraft at the moment, but given the weather forecast, we want to have these aircraft on our national territory as soon as possible so that they can be used if necessary,” he said.

“At that time, the government did not exclude the request of more firefighters.”

Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes in Spain, moving another 700 more from the western city of Casseres on Wednesday, according to the country’s civil guard.

A civilian and volunteer firefighter was killed on Wednesday on Wednesday. The other two people have already been reported killed in the fires, one near Madrid and another in Leon.

“We are once again struck by the death of a second volunteer, who has lost his life in Leon. All our love and support come out to his family and friends during this unbearable time,” said Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday.

“All state resources work to deal with the difficult situation facing the country. The threat remains exceptional.”

Spain is among several European countries that are experiencing burning temperatures and are fighting fires that have asked the EU for help.

Greece, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Albania have also activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which allows every country to be affected by a disaster – in Europe and outside – to request emergency care.

European countries have sent planes to those who requested help, in addition to the offered firefighters who are already helping in Greece.

In Greece, wild fires are burning for the third consecutive day, with the most dangerous fronts on Chios Island and in the Achaya area in Peloponnese.

So far, 95 people – including firefighters – have been injured. Satellite data from the EU Emergency Management Office show that more than 10,000 hectares (25,000 decares) have burned throughout the country as of Tuesday morning.

Authorities have issued a red signal to Thursday, warning of a very high risk of fire in Attica, Eastern Central Greece, Esa, Northeast Peloponnese and Thrace.

In the Chios, the front of the fire extended for tens of kilometers and with limited resources available, many residents had to be evacuated by sea using the coastline and private ships.

The fires are also raging in Albania and Turkey, with several firefighters injured while dealing with the flames.

EU data show that approximately 439,000 hectares of land have burned since the beginning of the year due to fires, compared to 187 643 hectares (464,000 acres) last year.

A total of 1628 fires have been opened since the beginning of the year.

Additional reporting from Nikos Papanikolaou in Greece