Firefighting crews from Düsseldorf and Ratingen, hailing from Spain, have returned.

German Firefighters Return Home after Successful Mission in Spain

Firefighters from Düsseldorf and Ratingen have returned to Germany following a successful mission in Spain, where they joined forces with Spanish emergency services to combat widespread forest fires.

The team of 67 emergency forces from Germany, including eight firefighters from Düsseldorf and three from Ratingen, were deployed in Spain at the request of the Spanish authorities on August 17, 2025.

During their deployment, the firefighters fought hotspots in the provinces of Extremadura in southwestern Spain and Castile and León. They saved a village from a wall of fire in Castile and León, a feat that was met with overwhelming gratitude from the Spanish population.

As they made their way home, the firefighters were cheered on by Spanish villagers lining the roadside. The applauding crowd was a testament to the international cooperation in disaster protection that was emphasized by the successful mission.

Upon their return, the Düsseldorf fire department plans to exchange ideas with its colleagues about their experiences in the forest fire area. The Bonn fire department declared the mission a success and expressed their gratitude to the firefighters for their hard work.

Frank Frenser, the spokesman for the Bonn fire department, reported on the team's experiences in Spain. He highlighted the professionalism and dedication shown by the firefighters in the face of challenging conditions.

The firefighters looked forward to their journey home on Wednesday, but they expect to be needed again in the coming summers, similar to past deployments in Greece, France, and this year in Spain.

Vehicles and equipment will be cleaned and operational readiness restored for the emergency forces next week, ready for the next call to action. The professional and volunteer emergency forces will resume work next week, ready to protect their communities from any threats that may arise.

Firefighting crews from Düsseldorf and Ratingen, hailing from Spain, have returned.