Avincis deploys two Canadair CL-415s to support Greek wildfire suppression
Italy has deployed two Avincis-operated Canadair CL-415s to Greece to assist in the ongoing battle against the raging wildfires sweeping the nation.
Once alerted by the RescEU European Civil Protection Mechanism – an EU co-ordinated endeavour organising international firefighting support – the two Canadair CL-145s were “swiftly mobilised,” explained Avicis, which will remain in Greece as long as deemed necessary.
“Avincis is proud to support this important mission,” commented Roberto Marcolini, managing director of Avincis Italy fixed wing. “The Canadair CL-415 aircraft are extremely capable machines with the ability to drop approximately 6,000 litres of water each time. These aircraft will make a significant contribution to the effort in getting these wildfires under control”.
Wildfires have been raging across Greece and Albania, with fast-moving fires spreading fast towards the Greek capital of Athens in the last days. Ground-based firefighting crews and volunteers have been working hard to contain the blaze as authorities have worked to evacuate people affected.
Other aerial support co-ordinated by the European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) include a RescEU helicopter from France, a helicopter offered by Serbia, and a multipurpose military fixed-wing aircraft from Romania with the capacity to drop six tons of water, explained the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).
It added that the European Commission is “closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to deploy further assistance as needed”.
Avincis is Europe’s largest aerial emergency service operator, providng a variety of aerial emergency medical services (EMS), aerial search and rescue operations (SAR) and aerial firefighting missions (AFF). It is a member of the EU’s newly enhanced RescEU and European Civil Protection Pool, now comprising 28 fixed-wing assets and four helicopters stationed across 10 member states.
