The European Commission has established a 17-member advisory group to review the bloc’s emergency capacities and recommend how the European Union can prepare for wildfires, extreme weather and other risks.
The PreparEU Advisory Group will advise Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib. Its membership brings together 11 senior civil protection and crisis management experts with six scientists and academics from EU member states.
The panel will review EU member states’ existing capacities under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and rescEU. Its remit also covers technological risks and other emerging threats, as well as prevention and preparedness measures. Members will consider possible new capabilities, including dual-use assets and a European Firefighting Fleet.
The Commission reported that more than 686,000 hectares burned in Europe this year. It also reported about 12 million tonnes of crops lost. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism recorded 10 wildfire activations in Europe this summer and two outside Europe. Responses involved 41 aerial firefighting assets and 18 ground firefighting teams.
The group’s first meeting is scheduled for early November 2026, with recommendations targeted for spring 2027.
