Estonian rescuers head to Italy to help fight wildfires
A 20-member Estonian rescue team has been deployed to Sardinia to assist in tackling natural wildfires. The unit is based near Monte Pisanu and expected to return on August 16.
An Estonian rescue team of 20 has arrived on the Italian island of Sardinia to help fight wildfires. Interior Minister Igor Taro said Estonia is also considering aiding France, an important ally.
The team’s base will be in the northern part of Sardinia, in the Monte Pisanu area. The previous week was extremely tense for Italian firefighters, as high temperatures contributed to the rapid spread of blazes. Weather forecasts offer little relief, with temperatures on Sardinia expected to approach 40 degrees Celsius in the coming weeks.
Rescuers will be provided with off-road vehicles. Up to three team members are expected to assist the crew of a firefighting helicopter operating in the emergency zone, according to team leader Kaarel Langemets.
Langemets explained that the Estonians will be integrated into local rescue units or firefighting teams handling forest fires. A liaison officer will help them communicate in English. They will likely rotate between units, acting as additional forces to expand the capabilities of local response teams. Equipment is likely to include high-mobility off-road vehicles with firefighting systems and trucks with cargo bodies for transporting gear.
Taro noted that wildfires in Southern Europe have become a serious problem in recent years, prompting the creation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to coordinate international assistance. Through this mechanism, countries submit requests for help and other nations offer their capabilities. In Italy’s case, preparations continue because forecasts indicate the situation may worsen. For France, Estonia is ready to send an additional team, although this was not initially planned. Estonia is also looking for ways to provide direct assistance, as France is a key ally. So far, France has mainly requested aircraft via the mechanism, but Estonia lacks such equipment.
According to Langemets, wildfires break out daily on Sardinia. Most are brought under control by initial response forces, but almost every day one or several large fires require extensive aerial and ground resources.
He contrasted Estonia’s usual firefighting approach of using hoses and establishing long fire lines in forests with the focus in Sardinia on analyzing fire behavior to determine where it is moving and where it can be stopped. The main task there is creating firebreaks. The Estonian team is trained to use hand tools such as shovels, hoes, and rakes to clear strips of land of vegetation. Since the soil layer is almost absent, these firebreaks help restrain the further spread of fire along the surface.
The Estonian rescuers are scheduled to return home on August 16.
