**Title: Europe Faces Challenges in Preparing for Extended Wildfire Seasons**
Europe is grappling with the reality of longer and more intense wildfire seasons, as highlighted by Avincis, the continent's largest aerial emergency services firm. CEO John Boag has expressed concerns about the region's preparedness to handle these escalating challenges, emphasizing that firefighting aircraft are now required almost year-round.
In an interview with Reuters, Boag pointed out that the combination of prolonged wildfire seasons and bureaucratic hurdles has led to a significant shortage of both firefighting aircraft and experienced pilots. "Globally, fire seasons are getting longer, aircraft are not moving between areas, and pilots are becoming harder and harder to get," he stated. This warning comes at a time when countries like France and Spain are battling unprecedented wildfires, exacerbated by weeks of drought that have turned their forests into tinderboxes.
Avincis, headquartered in Lisbon, has noted that the extended periods of firefighting have created logistical challenges. Traditionally, the peak wildfire season lasted three to four months during the summer. However, Boag explained that the operational window has expanded, with aircraft now being deployed as early as March and continuing through October. This shift narrows the opportunity for moving firefighting resources between hemispheres, resulting in gaps in capacity when demand is high.
The situation is further complicated by wet winters, which promote the growth of vegetation that can later ignite. Boag warned that governments will need to invest in maintaining a fleet of firefighting aircraft capable of operating year-round. He highlighted that commercial companies cannot rely on seasonal work in the southern hemisphere to offset costs during the off-season.
Avincis operates a fleet of 180 helicopters and 40 fixed-wing planes globally, including 22 Canadair waterbombers. In Spain and Portugal alone, the company has already logged over 5,000 flight hours in firefighting operations this year, more than double the amount recorded during the same period in 2022. In response to the growing need for aerial firefighting resources, Europe has collectively purchased 22 Canadair water-scooping aircraft from De Havilland Canada, although the first of a new model will not be delivered to Greece until 2028.
Alternatives to traditional firefighting aircraft are limited. The Airbus A400M military plane has recently been repurposed for firefighting in France, capable of dropping 20 tonnes of fire retardant. Additionally, new potential firefighting aircraft variants were showcased at the Farnborough Airshow, including concepts from China's Comac and a French startup, HYNAERO, which is designing an amphibious plane expected to be ready by 2032.
The firefighting profession is demanding, requiring low-level, precision flying in unpredictable conditions. Experts have raised concerns about a shortage of qualified pilots and technicians in the field. Boag criticized European regulations that necessitate pilots from abroad or military backgrounds to re-take civil aviation exams, arguing for a streamlined pathway to expedite their entry into the European firefighting sector. "The aerodynamics on a helicopter are the same in the military and the civilian world," he noted.
As Europe continues to confront the realities of climate change and its impact on wildfire seasons, the need for effective firefighting resources and trained personnel becomes increasingly urgent. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has yet to comment on the existing pilot licensing rules that could hinder the recruitment of experienced pilots.
In summary, as Europe faces an unprecedented increase in wildfire activity, the challenges of resource allocation, pilot recruitment, and regulatory obstacles must be addressed to ensure the safety and effectiveness of firefighting efforts across the continent.