Spain seeks EU help as wildfires spread across the country

Spain’s Civil Protection authorities have activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to help fight the wildfires spreading across the country and have requested four specialized firefighting aircraft, the country’s Interior Ministry said.

The ministry added that Greece, as part of the European emergency response system, has already responded to the request and offered to send two Canadair CL-415 firefighting aircraft.

Spanish authorities have declared a state of emergency in the Community of Madrid and in the Province of Ávila due to the wildfires.

Around 11,500 people have been evacuated as the fires continue to spread. The risk of wildfires remains extremely high across much of the country.