Due to the anticipated elevated risk of large-scale forest fires across significant regions of Portugal, particularly during the months of July and August, the National Institute for Civil Defence and Emergency Situations of Portugal activated the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism in April. As part of this proactive measure, Portugal formally submitted a request for external assistance, specifically requesting a specialized firefighting team that would not require accompanying vehicles. In response, the Latvian National Fire and Rescue Service offered support, proposing a dedicated team consisting of 20 personnel.
This assistance is scheduled to be deployed in Portugal from July 16th through July 31st. Financially, the initial costs associated with the deployment will be covered by the Latvian state budget. However, the European Commission has committed to compensating 75 percent of these expenses following the mission’s completion.
This current deployment follows a pattern of international cooperation. It is noted that last summer, Latvia had previously dispatched a 16-member rescue team from the State Fire and Rescue Service to aid Portugal in managing significant forest fire incidents. The mobilization of these resources underscores the ongoing preparedness efforts to manage the seasonal challenges posed by dry conditions and increased fire danger across the country.
Topics: #portugal #july #forest
