He Dutch Defense Ministry He will send this Monday Chinook Helicopterscapable of downloading to 8,000 liters per flightto participate in the extinction operations of the forest fires that ravage several regions in Spainand both devices are expected to remain deployed up to at least September 1. Spain yesterday accepted the help offered by the Netherlands to combat active fires in various parts of the country and, according to the Dutch government, The two helicopters will leave today and are expected to join the extinction operations tomorrow Tuesday. Helicopters are equipped with water bags “Bambi Buckets“, capable of downloading 8,000 liters per flight. A third Chinook helicopter will remain in the Dutch Air Base of Gilze-Rrijen, in the North Brabante, to attend possible emergencies within the Dutch territory itself.
A detachment of 60 military of the defense helicopter command It will support the mission from a base near León, but the operations will be under coordination of the Spanish civil authoritiescounting “with the support of advisors” of the North and East of Gelderland Region (vnog), Dutch experts in fire extinction operations.
“This year they have already burned more than 150,000 hectares of landalmost double the annual average. Spain has deployed National Large Resourcesincluding extinction planes, but due to the magnitude of fires, it has requested international help, “said the Dutch Ministry, who pointed out as a cause of fires one”persistent heat wave“, with temperatures up to 44 degreesstrong winds and an extreme drought.
The Dutch Executive explained that, with the deployment of these Chinooks, the Netherlands responds to their “commitment to assume responsibilities, protect lives and preserve nature” and added that this case is “a concrete example of European cooperation and solidarity in practice.”
Forest fires continue to devour the country Waiting for the arrival of help from European countries since the end of the heat wave relieves the situation.
