Services train to extinguish large forest fire

Latvia’s State Forest Service, firefighters and the National Armed Forces Air Force have tested their response to a large forest fire in Launkalne Parish, Smiltene Municipality, LSM reported. The exercise assessed firefighting from the ground and air, as well as cooperation between the services.

The exercise scenario began with a forester reporting a fire. The State Forest Service sent initial firefighting teams to the scene, where the fire initially covered about five hectares. The flames then spread, nearly doubling the affected area.

Firefighters from the State Fire and Rescue Service first used a drone to locate the fire and identify where a helicopter could take off and conduct aerial firefighting. The scenario included a change in wind direction that carried the fire to another forest area. The command staff and Civil Protection Commission then took steps to involve a National Armed Forces helicopter.

Aerial firefighting is used when a fire spreads quickly or is difficult to reach from the ground. Dropping water helps reduce the intensity of the flames, but firefighters must still work over the affected fire front with hose lines. The helicopter gives them time to regroup and helps reduce pressure on the ground teams, the State Forest Service said.

The services also practised maintaining continuous operations in difficult forest conditions and quickly identifying water sources. Officials stressed that close cooperation between the State Forest Service, firefighters, the command staff, municipalities and Civil Protection Commission is essential during large-scale incidents.

Although Latvia has not experienced large forest fires in recent years, the services said they must maintain readiness for such situations continuously.