MPs Marc Spautz, Gusty Graas, and Sven Clement all asked for further details on fighting wildfires in Luxembourg, specifically following the context of the Amazon fires. Citing the Hamm fire at the end of July, MPs queried whether there are other methods to extinguish such wildfires. One option mentioned is the so-called Bambi Bucket, a specialised bucket suspended on a cable carried by a helicopter to deliver water for aerial firefighting.
The MPs all wondered whether the use of helicopters would help firefighters extinguish fires in a quicker and more efficient way. Other areas afflicted by large fires including Athus, Rumelange, and Sanem.
Bofferding’s response detailed that whilst Air Rescue has yet to submit formal requests for pilot training or subsidies to the state, there have been ‘informal and sporadic’ discussions on exploring aerial firefighting. The minister also specified that countries already making use of aerial firefighting are unable to do so at night. Dropping water onto fires in the dark is too risky from a safety and visibility perspective. The minister also pointed out that the nature and scope of the most recent wildfires in Luxembourg differ greatly to those ravaging the Amazon rainforest.
For now, extinguishing fires will remain a manual job, but the option to explore aerial firefighting is open for the future. Bofferding also specified that the two new Airbus police helicopters are equipped to have Bambi Buckets installed.
The minister also confirmed that aerial firefighting is one of the elements being explored in the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps’ strategy to tackle wildfires. The corps is consequently exploring how to introduce such a measure. Part of the strategy is to use these helicopters in the domain of civil safety. The minister’s response also detailed that the government is open to discussing the management of these costs with Air Rescue.
Hamm wildfire - under control: Firefighters worked throughout the night to extinguish forest fire
