The Portuguese government has publicly thanked Morocco for its swift assistance in battling severe wildfires, following the emergency deployment of two Canadair water-bombing aircraft on August 11.
The planes were sent after several Portuguese firefighting aircraft were grounded, providing a critical boost to aerial operations at a time of heightened alert.
The Moroccan aircraft, operating from Monte Real Air Base, were dispatched under a bilateral civil protection agreement between Rabat and Lisbon. Their arrival helped reinforce Portugal’s efforts to contain the fires, which have been exacerbated by extreme temperatures.
In a statement issued two days later, Lisbon expressed its “deep gratitude” for the gesture, highlighting the importance of international solidarity in times of crisis.
This latest intervention continues a pattern of Moroccan support during wildfire emergencies. In September 2024, Morocco sent two Canadair aircraft, a Casa support plane, and technical teams to assist with fires in northern Portugal. Since 2016, Moroccan crews have conducted nearly 70 missions in Portugal, totaling over 230 flight hours.
The repeated deployments underscore a strong and reliable partnership between the two countries in responding to natural disasters.
