Switzerland Deploys Super Puma Helicopters to Aid France's Wildfire Fight

Switzerland is sending two Super Puma helicopters with crews from the Swiss Armed Forces to the Var department in southern France to support firefighting operations. The deployment follows a request from French civil protection received on 24 July and is coordinated by the Swiss Directorate for Development and Cooperation (DEZA) together with the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (VBS). The helicopters are scheduled to depart on 28 July 2026 and the mission is expected to continue until early August.

In addition to the air support, a Swiss fire‑service team from the Service d’incendie et de secours de Genève (SIS) has been operating in the Bordeaux region since 25 July, with around 30 firefighters on the ground. French authorities report a historic fire season, with roughly 98 000 ha burned nationwide and over 3 000 ha in Var alone, prompting the need for international assistance.