Portugal will send 100 to 120 members of various civil protection agents to help Canada fight the country’s intense wildfires, the interior minister said Thursday.
Speaking to reporters, José Luis Carneiro said that these forces are composed of elements of the national civil protection structure, special civil protection forces, firefighters, GNR’s Emergency Protection and Assistance Unit (UEPC), INEM and forest sappers. from the Institute for Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF).
“The forces are ready for deployment. We are just waiting for the conditions in which Canada proposes to engage in air transport. As soon as this issue is determined, these forces will be sent,” the minister said.
The minister stressed that Portugal had evaluated the weather forecast for the coming days in order to make a decision on sending these funds to Canada.
“According to IPMA’s forecasts, forecasts for the coming days and for the next week allow these resources to be released,” he stressed.
The minister also said that there is still no date for the departure of these elements to Canada, which may take place in the next few hours or days, when all administrative conditions are concluded.
These Portuguese forces will be sent to Canada under the European Union (EU) Civil Protection Mechanism, along with firefighters from France and Spain.
“Portugal could not help attending and supporting these efforts of the EU European Mechanism,” he explained.
The minister explained that the Portuguese team is leaving for Canada separately from the French and Spanish firefighters, leaving Portugal by plane.
José Luis Carneiro also said that Canada would cover the transport and logistics costs.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen already announced on Twitter this Thursday that Portugal, Spain and France are going to send 280 firefighters to help Canada fight the fires.
“We stand by Canada in the face of terrible wildfires. Canada has requested support from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and we are responding quickly,” Ursula von der Leyen wrote.
On Tuesday, Canada battled more than 400 active fires, most of which are in the province of Quebec.
This year, 2,293 forest fires were registered in the country, burning about 3.8 million hectares, which is higher than the average in recent decades.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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