As Europe is preparing for the approaching wildfire season, the EU is taking significant steps to bolster firefighting efforts and safeguard communities, by pre-positioning firefighters and assembling a fleet of firefighting aircraft. 

Greece on Saturday sent three fire engines with a six-member crew to Albania, while four more fire engines arrived in Albania on Sunday to assist the authorities in the battle against the blaze which continues to rage near the Greek minority villages.

A southern village near Messinia has been evacuated due to a large fire outbreak in the region.