Wildfires pose a significant threat globally, capturing headlines with images of emergency responders battling flames and smoke.
INTERSCHUTZ 2026, taking place from June 1-6 in Hanover, Germany, will showcase innovative wildfire prevention strategies through the debut of the WildfireCamp@INTERSCHUTZ. This dynamic platform will simulate real-life crisis scenarios to present cutting-edge solutions for early detection, prevention, and suppression of wildfires.
Innovative solutions on display
According to Thilo Horstmann, Head of INTERSCHUTZ at Deutsche Messe AG, the WildfireCamp initiative is motivated by the urgency of climate change, marking it as a significant theme for the event. "Driven by climate change, which is one of our key focus topics, we decided to launch this premiere," Horstmann stated.
Designed by experts, this platform goes beyond a typical product exhibition, aiming to foster collaboration among decision-makers, emergency responders, and technology providers.
Collaborative efforts and technological advancements
The WildfireCamp@INTERSCHUTZ is supported by four major partners
The WildfireCamp@INTERSCHUTZ is supported by four major partners: Bosch Building Technologies, the European Forest Institute (EFI), @fire, and IMBOS e.V. Horstmann emphasises the goal of forming a global "wildfire community" where responders and technology innovators can meet as equals.
This marks a crucial development in civil protection efforts. A highlight of the event will be the unveiling of the "Xplore," a state-of-the-art mobile command unit featuring advanced technology from sensor systems to satellite connectivity, created with the collaboration of various technology sector companies brought together by IMBOS e.V.
Comprehensive firefighting demonstrations
The event will gather 20 national and international companies, including CAL FIRE, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, to demonstrate operational solutions across five sections: pre- and post-fire management, vehicle-based firefighting, aerial support, ground crews, and specialised operational options. "Each section provides hands-on insights into different aspects of firefighting and gives visitors a comprehensive understanding of the respective operational areas," says Horstmann.
Educational and networking opportunities
Attendees can also participate in live demonstrations in the outdoor area between Halls 26 and 17 and engage in in-depth expert presentations at the "Command Post" forum in Hall 17, Stand F06. The programme, running daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., includes discussions on operational strategies, new detection technologies, prevention measures by the European Forest Institute, and the digitalisation of command operations.
Practical workshops and training sessions will offer the opportunity to learn effective firefighting techniques and strategies that have immediate application potential. The networking area at the Wildfire Camp will serve as a hub for exchanging ideas among emergency responders, developers, political leaders, and forest owners.
Dense smoke, flames in the undergrowth, crackling brushwood – and right in the middle, emergency responders battling against time and the forces of nature: these are images from incidents that regularly make headlines around the world.
INTERSCHUTZ 2026 (June 1–6 in Hanover, Germany) will, for the first time, bring this threatening reality to life with the WildfireCamp@INTERSCHUTZ. Much like a real operation, visitors will experience a dynamic platform where innovative solutions for the early detection, prevention, and suppression of wildfires are presented in both theory and practice.
Experiencing a dynamic platform
“Driven by climate change, which is one of our key focus topics, we decided to launch this premiere,” says Thilo Horstmann, Head of INTERSCHUTZ at Deutsche Messe AG. “The camp is far more than a simple product showcase. It has been designed by recognised experts.”
The four strong partners – Bosch Building Technologies, the European Forest Institute (EFI), @fire, and IMBOS e.V. – have played a key role in developing and preparing the WildfireCamp@INTERSCHUTZ, which brings together decision-makers, emergency responders, and technology providers. “We want to help create a global ‘wildfire community’ where responders and technology providers can exchange ideas on equal footing,” Horstmann emphasises. “This is where the ‘turning point’ in civil protection becomes tangible.”
Vehicle-based firefighting
In this context, the “Xplore” will also be unveiled for the first time – a mobile command unit in the form of an incident command vehicle that is fully equipped for resilient operations, combining the latest technologies from sensor systems to satellite connectivity. It is the result of collaboration between companies from various technology sectors, brought together by IMBOS e.V.
Together with the four partners, a total of 20 national and international companies will present their solutions for various operational scenarios, including CAL FIRE, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The demonstrations are divided into five sections: pre- and post-fire management, vehicle-based firefighting, aerial support, ground crews, and special operational options. “Each section provides hands-on insights into different aspects of firefighting and gives visitors a comprehensive understanding of the respective operational areas,” says Horstmann.
Direct application potential
In addition to practical live demonstrations in the outdoor area between Halls 26 and 17, the “Command Post” forum (Hall 17, Stand F06) offers a central platform for in-depth information: through expert presentations and panel discussions, visitors can gain insights daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. into operational strategies, new early detection technologies, prevention measures by the European Forest Institute, and the digitalisation of incident command.
Practical workshops and training sessions also provide opportunities to learn proven firefighting and prevention tactics and techniques – with direct application potential. The networking area in the outdoor Wildfire Camp serves as a meeting point for anyone looking to exchange ideas with emergency responders, developers, political decision-makers, and forest owners.
