Britain sends military to aid European wildfire response

Britain’s Ministry of Defence confirmed on Tuesday that it is deploying military personnel and equipment to assist in combating the unprecedented wildfires sweeping across several European nations. The decision follows a heatwave that has pushed temperatures well above seasonal averages, igniting extensive blazes in France, Spain, Portugal and Greece and prompting emergency services to request additional support. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak highlighted the operation as part of a broader European response to the crisis, emphasizing the need for rapid, coordinated action to protect lives and property.

The initial deployment includes around 500 troops, two Royal Air Force Chinook helicopters, and a fleet of fire‑fighting vehicles, which will operate under the direction of local civil authorities in the most affected regions. British forces are set to work alongside French and Spanish firefighting units, providing aerial water drops, logistical assistance and ground support in remote and mountainous terrain. Officials expect the military presence to bolster containment efforts as the fires continue to spread, and they will reassess resource allocation in the coming days based on the evolving situation.