Portugal Commends Morocco’s Solidarity in Combating Wildfires and Praises Swift Aerial Support
By: Iman Alaoui – ALDAR
The Portuguese government has expressed deep gratitude to the Kingdom of Morocco following Rabat’s decision to dispatch two Canadair aircraft to assist in extinguishing the violent wildfires that have swept across vast areas of Portugal in recent days.
In an official statement, Portugal’s Ministry of Internal Administration lauded Morocco’s rapid response to its call for assistance, describing the urgent aerial support as a vital boost to the capabilities of Portuguese firefighting teams battling the blazes—especially amid challenging weather conditions marked by high temperatures and strong winds.
The Moroccan aircraft, renowned for their high efficiency in operating across rugged terrains, joined the European emergency fleet of firefighting planes, carrying out dozens of sorties to extinguish hotspots and prevent the flames from advancing towards populated areas.
This initiative is not unprecedented. Morocco has previously shared its expertise and resources to aid other Mediterranean countries during wildfire seasons, including Greece and Spain—reflecting its commitment to regional cooperation and humanitarian solidarity. Analysts note that the move further strengthens Morocco’s image as a reliable partner in environmental crisis management and highlights the advancement of its aerial fleet dedicated to combating natural disasters.
Portugal faces the threat of wildfires every year, particularly in the summer, when the risk is exacerbated by climate change and low rainfall. Morocco’s timely contribution in this critical moment underscores the necessity of cross-border cooperation to tackle shared environmental challenges across the Mediterranean basin.
