Estonian firefighters to help put out wildfires in Italy
Estonia's Rescue Services Agency will send a team of 20 firefighters to Italy to support local efforts to put out wildfires as southern Europe battles blazes and extreme heat.
France, Spain, northern Portugal, and northern Italy have been hit hardest by wildfires so far this year as temperatures have soared above 40 degrees Celcius.
The Estonian team will be based in Monte Pisano in northern Sardinia and will depart on July 31, the agency said in a statement.
Sardinia, located off Italy's west coast, is mountainous, with its highest peak at 1,834 meters. Approximately half of the island is covered by forest.
"The past week has been very demanding for firefighters. The largest and most complex forest fires are raging in southern Sardinia, which is quite typical for this stage of the fire season," said team leader Kaarel Langemets.
"Last week was the most critical of the year so far, as very high temperatures accelerated the spread of fires," he added.
Temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius are also forecast for the coming weeks.
The rescue team is scheduled to return in the early hours of August 16.
All-terrain vehicles will be provided for the Estonian rescuers on site, and up to three members are needed to assist the helicopter crew at the scene.
My heart goes out to everyone affected by the devastating wildfires across Southern Europe.
— Margus Tsahkna (@Tsahkna) July 27, 2026
Estonia stands with the affected communities. In the coming days, an Estonian Rescue Services Agency (@paasteamet ) wildfire firefighting team will deploy to Sardinia, Italy,… pic.twitter.com/2gxGJjYleI
Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200) said that the Estonian Rescue Services Agency wildfire firefighting team will join local response efforts to fight the fires.
"We are deeply grateful to every firefighter and emergency responder risking so much to protect lives, homes and nature," he said in a statement on social media.
"These devastating wildfires remind us that strengthening our resilience, caring for our environment and preparing for a changing climate is ultimately about protecting people, their homes and the places they cherish," he added.
Summer forest fires have become a major problem in southern Europe in recent years. The fires are becoming gigantic and devastating. Last year, Estonia sent several teams of firefighters to Spain to help battle wildfires.
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Editor: Helen Wright
