International aid to French wildfires

In late July 2026, France faced a record‑high wildfire season, prompting requests for external support. On 23 July, Sweden dispatched two water‑bombing aircraft, each carrying about 3,000 liters, to operate from a base near Bordeaux under French command. The deployment was part of a broader EU effort that also involved assets from Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Four days later, on 27 July, Switzerland responded by sending two Super Puma helicopters and a team of about 30 firefighters from Geneva to the Var department and the Bordeaux region. The Swiss mission, coordinated with French civil‑protection authorities, was scheduled to run into early August, further illustrating the expanding cross‑border cooperation to combat the historic fire season.

Together, these contributions reflect a growing pattern of European solidarity, with multiple neighbor states providing aerial and ground resources to help France contain its widespread wildfires.