As of today, Portugal and Canada will collaborate closely in the management of rural fires, facilitating the sharing of resources and strengthening technical cooperation in areas such as knowledge on prevention, suppression and post-fire scenarios, including workshops and training.
This mutual aid stems from the memorandum of understanding signed between Agência para a Gestão Integrada de Fogos Rurais (AGIF) – with legal responsibility to represent Portugal externally in matters of integrated management of rural fires – and the Ministry of Natural Resources of Canada, which gave rise to the Portuguese involvement with the rural fires taking place in Canada, where 140 operatives were sent.
This bilateral agreement establishes the procedures for the sharing of resources between Portugal and Canada, providing the various Portuguese entities with a means of streamlining transatlantic mutual aid.
It is important to remember that at the end of April, a similar document was also signed with the United States of America, which is joined by other countries with which understandings have been negotiated, such as Brazil and Chile, thereby expanding the sharing of resources and knowledge.
Internationally recognised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development as a leader in the transformation and innovation of forest fire management, Portugal will also offer Canada the possibility of accelerating training and the transfer of technology, science and prevention strategies.
By signing this agreement, both countries recognise that they must continue to work collectively through deep collaboration on prevention, which will protect forest resources and communities in Canada and Portugal for generations to come.
