Forest fires in France: Switzerland to send two helicopters to assist with firefighting efforts

Press releasePublished on 26 July 2026

Forest fires in France: Switzerland to send two helicopters to assist with firefighting efforts

Bern, 26.07.2026 - Switzerland is supporting France in tackling the severe forest fires. At the request of the French civil protection authorities, Switzerland is expected to make two Super Puma helicopters and their crews available for a firefighting operation. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) will work with the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) to coordinate this support.

An initial informal enquiry from the French civil protection authorities was received late in the evening of Friday 24 July. This was followed on Sunday by a more detailed request for firefighting helicopters to be deployed in the Var department of southern France from Tuesday. Following close consultation with the SDC, the Swiss Armed Forces have decided to make two Super Puma helicopters and their crews available for deployment. The exact location of this deployment is still being coordinated with the French authorities, as the situation on the ground continues to evolve. The flight is scheduled to depart on the morning of Tuesday 28 July.

Operation to be conducted in line with the Ordinance on Disaster Relief Abroad

The Federal Council's delegate for humanitarian aid at the SDC will run the operation in line with the Ordinance on Disaster Relief Abroad (de, fr, it). Swiss Humanitarian Aid is monitoring developments on an ongoing basis and has taken charge of liaising and coordinating with the Swiss Armed Forces and the Swiss embassy in Paris. It will also set up an operations centre to meet further planning and implementation requirements. The operations centre will work with the relevant partners in the armed forces to coordinate and carry out the deployment. The army detachment will be accompanied by a small rapid response team from Swiss Humanitarian Aid.

An expression of solidarity

By deploying helicopters and providing support from its firefighting services, Switzerland is making a tangible contribution to tackling the severe forest fires in France. In response to the request for assistance from the French civil protection authorities on 24 July 2026, the Service d'incendie et de secours de Genève (SIS) is also providing support in the commune of Saumos in the Atlantic coast region of Bordeaux. Since 25 July, around 30 firefighters have been on duty with their vehicles in an operation that is due to last until 1 August. The SDC is in close contact with the SIS.