German Wildfire Specialists Return Early From Spain Mission

A contingent of German firefighters deployed to Spain to combat wildfires has returned home after a mission significantly shorter than initially planned. Nine specialists from Lower Saxony, along with colleagues from North Rhine-Westphalia, arrived in Spain on Saturday but were already en route back by Monday.

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This mission is further proof of the close networking and cooperation in disaster management at the European level.

Spain had requested assistance for its severe wildfire season. The German deployment was initially scheduled for two weeks, during which the firefighters worked to extinguish blazes, lay hundreds of meters of fire hoses, and support other European units. They are expected to arrive back in Celle on Thursday.

Lower Saxony's Interior Minister Daniela Behrens praised the firefighters' efforts, highlighting the close cooperation in European disaster response. However, her counterpart from North Rhine-Westphalia, Herbert Reul, questioned whether the short duration justified the effort, noting that the deployed personnel could have stayed longer and were willing to do so.

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One can count this as a success, but of course, one must ask whether the effort is justified by this short time.

According to the Bonn fire department, the German units were sent back because the situation in Spain had stabilized. Spain is experiencing one of its most severe wildfire seasons on record, with vast areas of forest and bushland devastated. The German firefighters are part of specialized units trained for forest and area fires, operating under a European model.

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The deployed forces from NRW could have helped for a few more days and, above all, wanted to.