November 10, 2026 · Michael Hood
As summer moves south, what can governments learn from Europe’s wildfire season?
By Lieutenant-General (Retired) Michael Hood, Advisor, Jetcraft Special Missions
As the Northern Hemisphere moves into autumn after a summer of extreme heat and devastating wildfires, attention is turning towards the Southern Hemisphere, where countries are preparing for their own summer wildfire risks.
Europe's experience this year placed significant pressure on national disaster response capabilities. Across the continent, wildfires stretched emergency services and reignited discussions about whether governments have sufficient resources to respond to these crises.
In September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for proposals for a future European Firefighting Fleet, recognising the need to strengthen the continent's ability to respond to future crises. For governments approaching their own high-risk seasons, this raises the question – are existing aerial capabilities equipped to meet the demands of the summer ahead?
The aircraft working behind t...