The Fire Came Fast. Was The EU Faster?

In late July, flames tore through the mountainous region of the Limassol district in southern Cyprus, destroying more than 100 km² of land, forcing the evacuation of dozens of villages, while leaving two dead and hundreds displaced. The fire reached the outskirts of Limassol faster than help did.

It is no lie that Cyprus has always been vulnerable to wildfires; last year it was ranked ninth in terms of wildfire damage in 2024, with 17 km² burned. Even 30 years ago, the average number of wildfires in Cyprus was 20 per year. The island’s long, dry summers, rugged terrain, and densely forested mountains render it one of the most fire-prone areas in the Eastern Mediterranean. This was, however, one of the worst wildfires the country has experienced in decades—made worse by record heat, strong winds, and prolonged drought. The fire ignited under extremely hot conditions, with temperatures reaching 44 degrees Celsius, coupled with low humidity and strong winds that rapidly spread the flames. Yet, as the fire advanced, so too did a sense of abandonment: where was the help? Amid the raging inferno, a chilling sense of abandonment settled: where was the help, and why was it so slow to arrive? 

In stunned disbelief, communities stood helpless as the flames ravaged their homes. Cyprus’s national firefighting forces and civil defence, which were stretched to the limit, were all mobilised to extinguish the fire. Even with all possible resources being thrown at the situation, Cyprus still had to rely on the goodwill of neighbouring states. Helicopters, along with other aircraft from Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, and Egypt, ultimately played a crucial role in suppressing the fire. EU aid did eventually reach the scene, but the fire had already subsided. This raises the question: are EU emergency response mechanisms, particularly the flagship RescEU program, truly fit for purpose—especially for peripheral or remote member states like Cyprus?

The RescEU mission must first be unpacked. RescEU was created in 2019 as part of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, aiming to represent the Union’s shared commitment to collective response when disaster strikes. It includes a growing fleet of firefighting aircraft, helicopters, and medical units, funded by the European Commission and coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC). When deployed, it is a highly visible—and politically valuable—proof of European solidarity. Nevertheless, solidarity delayed can feel like solidarity denied. 

During the Limassol fires, EU assistance through RescEU reached the scene belatedly. Although Cyprus activated the mechanism promptly and ten countries responded, the process of assessment, allocation, and deployment takes 36-48 hours—far too long, considering a village can be consumed within minutes.

Moreover, Cyprus’s geographic isolation from mainland Europe means that even approved RescEU assets (typically stationed in Spain, Italy, France, and Greece) must cover significant distances, often navigating congested or contested airspace, to reach the island. Spanish aircraft, initially expected to assist, never made it—reportedly due to timing issues and overlapping crises elsewhere. Meanwhile, the twenty-six Greek ‘forest commandos’ arrived only after the fire had largely been extinguished. 

The Limassol fire revealed that Cyprus, situated at the crossroads of four continents, is fundamentally and structurally disadvantaged within the RescEU framework. Not by malice, but by design. No RescEU assets are permanently based in Cyprus. The closest support is located in countries like Greece, Spain, and Croatia. While Cyprus is one of the EU’s smallest member states, it is also one of the most climate-vulnerable and strategically exposed. In fact, nearly two-thirds of Cypriot respondents consider climate adaptation a national priority.

Evidently, the lack of permanent EU presence and capacity in the region results in an over-reliance on reactive aid. Actions and initiatives should instead depend on prevention, proximity, and preparedness. Unfortunately, the fires outpace the EU flag, as is demonstrated by Cyprus’s case.

Beyond the logistical critique, however, lies a broader policy failure hindering the EU’s response to such disasters. While the EU has expanded its crisis response capability, it has not adequately supported, or required, national governments to build long-term resilience. In Cyprus, investment in fire prevention, such as forest management, fuel clearance, and early warning systems, remains underfunded. The prevention gap is consequently real, and it is growing. 

The European Commission has announced plans for a permanent RescEU fleet, including 12 firefighting aircraft and several helicopters to be stationed across EU territory. Yet, thus far, none are planned for Cyprus despite repeated calls from Cypriot MEPs and local authorities. This invites change. Given its vulnerability, the Eastern Mediterranean region deserves a permanent, fully equipped RescEU base capable of providing immediate aerial and ground responses. Without it, the EU’s promises of unity remain unevenly distributed and perhaps unfulfilled. 

The Limassol fires were nothing less than tragic, but they also served as a warning. Climate-fuelled disasters are intensifying, and peripheral regions like Cyprus will likely be among the first to experience severe impacts. If EU solidarity is to mean anything, it must arrive not just with good intentions but with operational presence. 

The fire came fast. The EU must be faster.

Image: Flickr/Rob Swystun

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