Finland sends firefighters to assist Portugal in battling wildfires

Portugal is entering its annual wildfire season, with approximately 190 fires reported in the last two weeks, according to Teemu Veneskari, the chief of the Kymenlaakso rescue department. Finland is sending 48 rescuers to assist local firefighters in battling the blazes. The Finnish firefighters will operate as part of the RescEU teams established by the European Union, providing round-the-clock support, including nighttime operations.

Kyösti Tuuha, a firefighter from Kotka, and Chief Veneskari are set to travel to Portugal for two weeks starting Thursday. Tuuha, on his first international assignment, expressed that it is an excellent opportunity to advance professional skills. Tuuha is preparing for the heat conditions in Portugal, noting that the biggest risks are heat exposure and dehydration, based on experiences shared by previous Finnish colleagues who worked there.

The firefighters will be stationed in two locations: one group near Lisbon and another in the northern town of Trancoso. They will follow the directions of local authorities to carry out fire suppression tasks. This deployment includes many first-timers among the team, as well as eight volunteer firefighters, ensuring that everyone gets adequate rest during operations.

Fire suppression techniques differ between Finland and Portugal, largely due to terrain variations. In Portugal’s mountainous regions, firefighters utilize portable water tanks for on-the-spot extinguishing. Additionally, ground preparation requires using a hoe to clear the topsoil and expose a sand layer, which helps prevent the spread of fires.

The EU has mobilized more than 550 firefighters from 12 countries for wildfire response in central Europe this summer, deploying air and ground resources to support ongoing efforts in Portugal, France, Greece, and Spain. Currently, a wildfire warning is in effect across much of mainland Portugal, particularly along the southern coast and northeast regions, where the risk remains highest.