Slovakia sending firefighters and helicopter to help fight Czech fire

Slovakia has despatched firefighters to the Czech Republic to help combat a fire burning in the Czech Switzerland national park near the border with Germany, Interior Minister Roman Mikulec (OLaNO) confirmed on Tuesday. In addition to the land-based firefighters, Mikulec also promised the Czech Republic an aerial firefighting effort, as soon as the Interior Ministry’s helicopter is freed up. The helicopter is currently putting out fires in eastern Slovakia. The Slovak Defence Ministry has also offered the Czech Republic the help of its military helicopters, which are currently employed putting out fires in Slovenia, Kosice and Velka Fatra, once they are available. The Czech Republic asked Slovakia for help with combatting a blaze that has been burning in the Czech Switzerland national park since Sunday (July 24) and has seen the deployment of more than 400 firefighters.