Forest fires – European aid

Question for written answer  E-002964/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Álvaro Amaro (PPE), Paulo Rangel (PPE), Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar (PPE), Maria da Graça Carvalho (PPE), Lídia Pereira (PPE), José Manuel Fernandes (PPE)

Europe is once again being ravaged by forest fires: by 18 August, the area burned was the largest since records began in 2006. That area corresponds to approximately 761 000 hectares, with the Iberian Peninsula being hit hardest.

We know that the EU has supported Member States to the extent of its competences, but given the extraordinary times we are living, more needs to be done and done more quickly.

Following the extreme climatic events experienced by our continent and in view of the above, the following questions arise:

• 1.What solutions is the European Commission considering to restore the areas burned? Does the Commission advocate the use of the EU Solidarity Fund, National Recovery and Resilience Plans, cohesion policy and rural development funds? To this end, is the Commission willing – if necessary – to amend its relevant regulations?
• 2.Does the Commission envisage launching a specific initiative as a matter of urgency to support the affected regions and, in the medium and long term, a common European Forest Fire Strategy?