A Gudina, Spain - September 19, 2024

In a swift response to escalating forest fires, the Brigada de Refuerzo de Incendios Forestales (BRIF) Laza team, known as BrifLaza, has been deployed for the second time in a single day. Initially tackling a blaze in A Gudina, this elite unit of 16 forest firefighters, bolstered by two helicopters, was subsequently redirected to combat another forest fire in A Mezquita.

The fires, which have caught the attention of local and regional authorities, underscore the severe fire season affecting Galicia this year. Upon arrival at A Mezquita, the team was met with a significant challenge as the fire had already made considerable progress. The deployment of such specialized units reflects the urgency and scale of the forest fires that have become a recurring concern during the dry, hot spells of the summer and early autumn in the region.

The helicopter support, critical for aerial reconnaissance and water drops, plays a pivotal role in the strategy to contain the fires quickly. The combination of ground and air efforts aims not only at extinguishing the fires but also at preventing them from spreading to nearby towns and natural reserves.