Reuters AlertNet Lite - Macedonia gets fire-fighting help from stretched EU

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

Macedonia gets fire-fighting help from stretched EU

31 Jul 2007 11:46:45 GMT
Source: Reuters

BRUSSELS, July 31 (Reuters) - The European Union is helping Macedonia fight forest fires, stretching its collective fire fighting resources to the limit as blazes brought on by hot, dry weather rage throughout southern Europe.

In statements on Tuesday, the executive European Commission said fire conditions remained "acute", with all states of southern Europe combating major blazes.

Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said resources were stretched to the limit and welcomed proposals for a European rapid reaction force with at least 10 fire-fighting aircraft.

Macedonia, a candidate to join the 27-nation bloc, became the latest state to get help under the EU's existing Community Mechanism for Civil Protection, which has been helping Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and Italy fight fires.

Slovenia has sent a helicopter, and several other EU states offered fire fighting equipment, first aid kits and experts to help Macedonia deal with around 22 woodland fires.

"This gesture of solidarity to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia comes at a time when Europe's southern frontiers are burning, using up all of the resources we have available," Dimas said.

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

Topics

• Climate and Weather

MORE >>

Countries

Small country map
© 2004 Europa Technologies Ltd.

Reset map

• Albania profile
· View map

• Bulgaria profile
· View map

• Cyprus profile
· View map

• Macedonia profile
· View map

MORE >>

NGO latest

• CWS situation report: Central Sulawesi (Indonesia) floods
CWS

• ACT Rapid Response Payment: Floods, Colombia
ACT - Switzerland

• Countries devastated by global warming represented at WOMAD line-up
Christian Aid - UK

• CWS situation report: Central Sulwesi (Indonesia) floods
CWS

• Disastrous cold snap in Peru
Welthungerhilfe (German Agro Action) - Germany

MORE >>

Latest news

• Macedonia gets fire-fighting help from stretched EU

• Tropical depression in Atlantic poses little threat

• Russia names diplomat to join Kosovo troika

• Drought hits 1.2 million in central China

• CHRONOLOGY-Nigerian militant attacks on oil industry

MORE >>

Last updated:Tue Jul 31 11:47:08 2007