Malta’s wildfire deployment in Portugal has entered its next phase, with the first Civil Protection contingent returning home and a second team of 20 firefighters now on the ground.
The overall mission involves 40 officers from Malta’s Civil Protection Department and is being carried out by two teams between 3 and 31 August 2026. The Maltese deployment forms part of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and supports wildfire operations in Portugal.
First Team Returns To Malta
The first contingent returned safely to Malta after completing its deployment alongside Portuguese counterparts.
During their time in Portugal, the Maltese firefighters supported wildfire response operations and worked with local emergency teams.
The deployment is designed both to strengthen Portugal’s operational capacity during the high-risk wildfire season and to allow participating teams to work together in demanding international conditions.
Second Team Of 20 Now In Portugal
As the first group returned home, the second team of 20 Civil Protection firefighters travelled to Portugal and has now joined the Força Especial de Proteção Civil.
Their arrival means Malta’s contribution continues without the mission coming to an end with the return of the first contingent.
The officers will support wildfire preparedness and response activities alongside their Portuguese counterparts for the remainder of Malta’s deployment.
Part Of A Bigger European Effort
Malta is one of 14 European countries contributing firefighters to the EU’s 2026 wildfire pre-positioning initiative.
Across Europe, 777 firefighters are being strategically positioned in six high-risk countries, Portugal, Spain, Cyprus, Greece, Italy and France between 1 July and 15 September. The aim is to have trained teams already in place so they can respond more quickly when serious fires develop.
Portugal is one of the countries hosting these pre-positioned teams, while Malta is among the countries providing personnel.
For Malta’s Civil Protection Department, the changeover marks the halfway point of a month-long international mission: one team back with family and friends, and another now continuing the work in Portugal.
