French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Gironde Fire and Rescue Operations Center (CODIS) in Bordeaux with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez. Here, Macron received information about the fire affecting 42,000 hectares in the Gironde region in the southwest of the country and said, “I am here to express the support of the entire country and to thank you. You joined the fight again without waiting after what happened. We owe you a lot. We are facing an unprecedented fire. We are experiencing the most serious situation recorded so far. We are facing the heaviest scenario since World War II,” he said.
Macron stated that approximately 116,000 hectares have been affected by fires across the country since the beginning of the year, and that the prolonged drought, extreme temperatures, and wind have made forested areas more vulnerable to fire. Macron said, “The fire in Gironde was stabilized in the last 24 hours but is not yet fully under control. The last 24 hours have been positive, but we must be cautious. Temperatures will rise again, the wind will continue. We will win this fight together.”
Macron stated that those evacuated will not be allowed to return to their homes until safe conditions are established, and that housing, economic support, insurance, and psychological assistance will be provided to those who lost their homes or businesses.
