Portugal sending team to help battle Canadian wild fires

In a statement, ANEPC states that the Joint Operational Force (FOCON), whose mission is coordinated by the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, will depart this morning from Lisbon airport, on a commercial flight, and will then go to Quebec.

According to ANEPC, the force includes elements from the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, the Special Civil Protection Force (FEPC) of ANEPC, the Emergency Protection and Relief Unit (UEPS) of the GNR, the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), firefighters from the fire departments of the Center region and the Autonomous Region of Madeira, and the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM).

❗ To tackle the worst wildfires in the last 10 years, Canada 🇨🇦 has activated the #EUCivilProtection Mechanism requesting European assistance.

In an immediate response, France 🇫🇷, Portugal 🇵🇹 and Spain 🇪🇸 have offered to deploy almost 300 firefighters.

Find out more. 👇

— EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid 🇪🇺 (@eu_echo) June 8, 2023

The Portuguese force is sent to Canada under the Civil Protection Mechanism of the European Union (EU), together with the Spanish contingent, composed of 97 operational personnel.