Estonian firefighters are training in Galicia to tackle wildfires.

The August sun shines intensely over Ourense, a Galician province marked by extreme heat hovering around 35 degrees Celsius. This scene, so different from that of Estonia, presents a constant challenge for the firefighting teams working on fire extinguishment. While Estonia experienced only 26 wildfires in 2022 that consumed just 20 hectares, Spain faced 10,507 fires that ravaged 267,947 hectares. The geographical distance between the two places is undoubtedly overwhelming, but the difference in the approach to combating fire is even more pronounced. Taking advantage of this disparity, a group of twenty Estonian firefighters has arrived in Galicia to train in extinguishing techniques and learn from Spanish experience in the field. Their stay at the Integral Center for Fire Fighting (CILL), located in Toén, is part of a cooperation program aimed at exchanging knowledge and strategies in the fight against wildfires, a topic of vital importance in the context of climate change affecting all of Europe. Galicia's orography, with its mountainous terrain and warm climate, contrasts with the flat and humid landscape of Estonia, where flames are a rarity. Janno, an Estonian firefighter, expresses his amazement at the speed with which emergencies are responded to in Galicia. "For us, a ten-hectare fire is already big," he comments, emphasizing the difference in the magnitude and frequency of fires in his homeland compared to the devastating blazes that have struck Galicia in recent years. The training program consists not only of theoretical lessons but also includes intensive practical fieldwork. The Estonians have had the opportunity to participate in extinguishing operations, such as those that took place in Oseira and A Limia. In these missions, they were able to observe firsthand the coordination between various ground and air teams, a practice that is less common in their homeland. "We were surprised by the number of planes and helicopters that operate in synergy," Janno adds, visibly impressed by the machinery and resources mobilized in Galicia. Training and learning are a two-way process. While the Estonian firefighters acquire new techniques, the Galician professionals also benefit from the exchange of experiences and knowledge. Martín Blanco, a territorial environmental agent, highlights the importance of vocation in this work and how, despite differences in procedures, there is a common thread that unites these groups: a commitment to safety and environmental protection. The collaboration is framed within the European Civil Protection Mechanism, which seeks to strengthen cooperation among member states in emergency situations. Blanco explains that the activities are designed for the Estonians to quickly adapt to local circumstances, which includes self-protection maneuvers and home defense techniques in fire-prone areas. Cultural and professional exchange is also manifested through group dynamics that facilitate communication between firefighters from both countries. Rubén Cuíñas, one of the Galician firefighters, acts as a translator, ensuring that language barriers do not limit learning and cooperation between teams. This synergy is reflected in the joint preparation to face the challenges posed by wildfires. The training program is not limited to extinguishing techniques. The Estonian firefighters will receive instruction on handling vehicles in difficult terrain, safety maneuvers, and specific tactics for addressing fires in urban areas. Additionally, they will visit key infrastructure for fire prevention and get a close look at the airbases used in extinguishing operations. As the program unfolds, both groups are preparing to share their approaches. The Estonian firefighters will take the stage to present their methods to their Galician colleagues, an exchange that promises to enrich the experience of all involved. The Xunta de Galicia emphasizes that the CILL is an international benchmark in research and cooperation on wildfires, a status that is reinforced by initiatives like this that promote unity and solidarity in the fight against fire. In summary, this collaboration between Galicia and Estonia is not only a learning opportunity but also a step toward greater integration and preparedness against wildfires, which, due to climate change, increasingly threaten life and the environment in Europe.