PT EU MODEX 2026

Portugal is facing a severe wildfire emergency driven by extreme heat, low humidity, strong winds, and prolonged drought. Multiple active fires are placing unprecedented pressure on national response capacities, with ground, aerial, and communication resources stretched to their limits. As the fires continue to threaten communities, infrastructure, and the environment, Portugal has activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) to request international assistance.

Modules from the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Spain, Poland, and Portugal arrived at the Reception and Departure Centre (RDC), attracting significant local media attention. Following a High-Level LEMA meeting, teams received the latest operational updates and aligned their plans with local authorities to ensure effective coordination.

Meanwhile, intensive work continued at the Base of Operations (BoO), which was brought close to full operational readiness. Day 1 marked a strong start, driven by cooperation, coordination, and teamwork.

Modules from Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Poland, Portugal, and Spain worked together on the wildfire response, conducting direct and indirect attacks, mop-up operations, firebreak construction, and water supply establishment. Despite challenging conditions caused by high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds, teams remained operational with the support of aerial resources. Joint efforts focused on containing fire reactivations and protecting critical infrastructure, demonstrating strong international cooperation and coordination on the ground.

The exercise concluded with a post-mission press conference, where module team leaders reflected on the operation and addressed questions from the media. Facing both recognition and challenging inquiries, they demonstrated professionalism, transparency, and confidence, highlighting the importance of effective communication during emergency response operations.