In autumn 2025, the Finnish forest machine manufacturer PONSSE organised a firefighting demonstration in the Montes del Plata area of Uruguay, showcasing a forest machine-mounted firefighting system in real operating conditions and testing the PPO® ForExt wildfire suppression agent in wildland firefighting.
Firefighting agents had not been used in Uruguay before. PPO® ForExt was included in the suppression test after it was confirmed, based on its safety data sheet and chemical safety assessment, to be environmentally harmless. ForExt was used as an additive in water to enhance wildfire suppression and mop-up operations, and, based on test results, it improved firefighting outcomes and helped prevent re-ignition.
The demonstration also showed how a forwarder-mounted firefighting unit enables effective wildfire suppression in terrain that is difficult or impossible for conventional fire engines to access. The video highlights the system’s off-road capability, large water capacity and remotely controlled water cannon, which improve both the efficiency and safety of wildfire suppression operations.
We would like to thank the representatives of PONSSE and everyone involved in the test for the excellent cooperation and the well-executed large-scale demonstration.
PONSSE Firefighting Equipment demo – Montes del Plata, Uruguay / Video YouTube, Length 2:21
ForExt is used in Finland and tested internationally
PPO® ForExt has also been used with PONSSE firefighting equipment in Finland. The combination was applied during the mop-up operations following the large Kalajoki forest fire in 2021, when conditions were exceptionally demanding: the terrain was difficult to access, and the ground was extremely dry. ForExt performed effectively in wildfire suppression and helped prevent re-ignition.
The PPO® ForExt wildfire suppression agent has also been tested in several other countries, including Greece, the Netherlands, England, Colombia and Canada. In 2026, ForExt will also be presented at international events.
