Thanks to EU support, Lithuanian and Latvian firefighters are preparing for joint peatland fire management exercises

On March 20-21, 2025, a significant preparatory event took place in Šiauliai, bringing together representatives from the Lithuanian and Latvian fire and rescue services to develop scenarios for upcoming table-top exercises on peatland fire management. These exercises are a key activity planned within the PEATFIRE project, which aims to improve response capabilities in combating peatland fires.

Experts from both countries successfully collaborated to plan and analyze the exercises, which are scheduled to be organized this summer in Daugavpils. Such table-top exercises are crucial not only for enhancing practical skills but also for improving understanding and coordination of cross-border emergency operations in the event of peatland fires.

The project's goal is both the acquisition of equipment and the increase of response capabilities, as well as the promotion of closer and better cooperation between the neighboring countries' emergency services.

All activities, including the planning and subsequent execution of these exercises, are financed by the European Union's Interreg LatLit cross-border cooperation program for 2021-2027.