Photo: Civil Protection MaltaThe forty Maltese firefighters deployed to Portugal have been kept busy fighting the widespread wildfires that have broken out in the country, exacerbated by searing heat.
The forty members of Civil Protection Malta are on a mission in Portugal as part of the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid pre-positioning programme, which involves the deployment of firefighters in areas particularly prone to wildfires in southern Europe.
Temperatures exceeding 40°C temperatures in large parts of the Iberian peninsula have seen wildfires scorch record areas of land in Spain and Portugal, posing a danger to nearby populations. Six people have been killed while fighting fires in the two countries, including in traffic accidents.
On Wednesday morning, Civil Protection Malta said that for over 60 hours, the Maltese contingent has been working along with their Portuguese counterparts – from the Força Especial de Proteção Civil – to combat a widespread wildfire in Vale de Cerdeira.
“The dedication and cooperation in these challenging conditions reflect the strength of European solidarity and shared commitment to protecting lives and the environment,” Civil Protection said.
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