Polish firefighters deployed to Spain for forest fire mission

Polish firefighters are participating in a mission in Spain to combat forest fires as part of the GFFF Poland (Ground Forest Fire Fighting) module. This operation is conducted under the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism.

The mission involves 105 firefighters from across Poland divided into three shifts throughout August 2026. The GFFF module specializes in fighting fires on the ground in difficult-to-reach terrain where heavy machinery cannot operate. Personnel utilize manual tools such as beaters, hoes, and shovels to create firebreaks by exposing mineral soil.

Firefighters have faced extreme conditions, including temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius and mountainous topography. The second shift, which included personnel from the Warmia-Masuria and Poznań regions, concluded its deployment around August 21, 2026.