Maltese firefighters deployed in Portugal are assisting local emergency crews battling a major wildfire in Arouca.
Civil Protection Malta personnel are working alongside Portugal’s Força Especial de Proteção Civil as part of an operation mobilising approximately 600 firefighters.
Crews are working to contain the flames while protecting affected communities and surrounding areas.
Maltese Team Already Stationed In Portugal
The Maltese contingent was already stationed in Portugal as part of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism’s wildfire pre-positioning programme.
The programme enables firefighting teams to be positioned where they can support emergency responses during periods of heightened wildfire risk.
The Maltese deployment is coordinated through the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, known as DG ECHO.
Civil Protection Malta firefighters are continuing their duties on the ground as the operation to contain the Arouca wildfire continues.
