Canton of Valais and Bern Firefighters Complete Intercantonal Forest Fire Training

Thirty‑two firefighters from the canton of Bern took part in a two‑day forest‑fire training exercise at Eyholz in the High Valais. The course, organized jointly by the Valais cantonal authorities and the Bern Insurance Association, included helicopter water drops, practical fire‑simulation drills and thematic workshops aimed at improving technical skills and inter‑cantonal coordination.

Valais officials highlighted the program’s role in reinforcing cooperation among fire services, forest guards, civil protection and the army, noting that the canton is the first in Switzerland certified to deliver the new national doctrine for forest‑fire fighting. Participants cited previous experience on major fires such as the 2023 Bitsch blaze, underscoring the growing importance of preparedness as fire risk rises.