Multi Agency Wildfire Exercise To Take Place In Wicklow Mountains National Park

Wicklow County Council, as part of a European consortium, will support Ireland’s first EU MODEX Exercise on 26th March 2025, in County Wicklow.

EU MODEX is an Urban Search and Rescue Modules that gives responders the chance to test their preparedness for a real-life event.

Organised by the Eastern Emergency Response Group, this multi-agency event will involve over 100 participants from Ireland and other EU member states, simulating a wildfire scenario near Turlough Hill in the Wicklow Mountains National Park.

The MODEX exercise is presented as an opportunity to assess Ireland’s preparedness and response capacity for managing large forest fires and will enhance our response capabilities.

Working alongside the EU MODEX Group and the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), experts from across Europe specialising in forestry management, host nation support and aerial firefighting coordination will collaborate with relevant entities during operational and tactical meetings.

Meetings will take place at both operational and tactical levels, with the simulation exercise conducted in the Wicklow Mountains National Park.

The EU mission will assess Ireland’s current wildfire preparedness and provide expert guidance through a final report.

Where appropriate, the mission will also support the development of improved strategies and capabilities, particularly concerning the possible deployment of EU fixed-wing assets, such as Canadair aircraft.

The exercise will also receive support from partner organisations that respond to wildfires in Wicklow, including An Garda Síochána, Air Corps Operations, Coillte Forestry Managers, Defence Forces, National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Mountain Rescue, Civil Defence, Dublin Fire Service and Wicklow Fire Service.