As wildfires intensify across Europe, France's firefighting resources are under scrutiny. The country operates a fleet of 20 water-bombing aircraft, including 12 Canadair CL-415s and 8 Dash 8 Q400s, capable of dropping over 150 tonnes of water in a single pass. In comparison, Spain leads with a capacity to release 194 tonnes, utilizing a mix of Canadair CL-415s, CL-215s, and approximately 40 Air Tractor aircraft. Italy follows with a capacity of 174 tonnes, deploying 19 Canadair CL-415s and six Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane helicopters. Greece, with 17 Canadair CL-415s, has a capacity of 154 tonnes. Portugal, despite its high wildfire risk, lacks a state-owned fleet and relies on seasonal rentals.
France's firefighting strategy also includes the innovative use of military assets. The A400M military transport aircraft has been retrofitted with a temporary tank, enabling it to drop 20 metric tonnes of fire retardant—three times the load of a Canadair. This adaptation, first tested in active fires near Bordeaux in July 2026, offers a significant boost to France's firefighting capabilities.
On the human resources front, France boasts a substantial force of 250,000 firefighters, including 44,000 professionals and 10,000 military personnel. This extensive network is complemented by over 200,000 volunteer firefighters, providing a robust response capacity. In contrast, Spain has approximately 39,000 professional firefighters, and Italy around 43,500. Portugal, with a population of 10 million, has 12,800 professional firefighters.
Despite these resources, the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated to support France and Spain in battling severe wildfires. The EU has deployed seven firefighting aircraft and four helicopters to France, highlighting the strain on national resources and the need for cross-border assistance.
In summary, while France maintains a significant firefighting fleet and personnel, its capacity lags behind some European neighbors. The integration of military assets and EU support are pivotal in enhancing France's ability to combat the escalating threat of wildfires.