While Landes and Gironde firefighters continue to face “extreme climatic conditions” in their fight against the blaze this Thursday and the flames are multiplying in France, European reinforcements arrived this Thursday evening.
“361 firefighters and 101 vehicles from different countries” will arrive in France, announces Martin Guespereau, Delegate of the Prefect of Defense and Security of the New Aquitaine region. The first German crews were already on site late Thursday afternoon. In the evening, 77 agents and 14 vehicles arrive from Romania. After all, 146 employees and 49 vehicles from Poland and 73 agents for 14 vehicles from Austria are expected this Friday.
Two Greek Canadairs (and 22 firefighters) are already in France, they must be escorted by two Italian water bombers this Friday. European firefighters who join the 1,100 firefighters from the Gironde, the Landes and seven other French departments already fighting. Emmanuel Macron praised European solidarity in this fight on Twitter.
Germany, Greece, Poland and in the next few hours Romania and Austria: Our partners are coming to help France in the face of the fires. Thanks to them. European solidarity is at work!
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 11, 2022
“Germany, Greece, Poland and in the next few hours Romania and Austria: our partners are coming to France’s aid in the face of the fires. Thanks to them. European solidarity is at work! ‘ writes the French President. Italy will also send Canadairs, said Emmanuel Macron.
Poland had announced that it would send 146 firefighters to fight the fires in the south, which Elysee said should arrive on Friday afternoon. Germany sent 64 firefighters and 24 vehicles for Thursday evening.
The European Commission also announced Thursday the dispatch of four planes from the European Union’s fleet from Greece and Sweden to France.
Before nightfall on Wednesday, eight major fires were burning across France, in Gironde, Maine-et-Loire, Jura, Drôme, Aveyron and Lozère… Not to mention countless smaller fires erupting from north to south every day.
Near the village of Belin-Beliet (Gironde), this house was completely destroyed by flames. LP/Frederic Mouchon
According to Élysée, Emmanuel Macron remains “very mobilized and closely following the location of the fires”. He also tweeted, referring to the victims of the disaster: “Save all lives, save all that can be saved, then rebuild: none will be forgotten.” »