The Dutch contribution to the fight against the forest fires in Portugal
In late August 205, the Netherlands made 2 Cougar helicopters available to help fight fires in Portugal. In 2 weeks’ time, the 2 helicopters of 300 Squadron dropped more than 710.000 litres of water on the burning Portuguese countryside.
In central and southern Portugal, they fought the fires for 9 hours a day. Particularly in the 1st week, the helicopters spent a lot of time in the air. In the 2nd week they were called out to fight the worst flare-ups. After 2 weeks, the mission came to an end and the helicopters returned to the Netherlands.
Updated: 7 April 2011