Stéphane Place (special correspondent at La Teste-de-Buch), edited by Solène Leroux 10:21 a.m., July 18, 2022

While firefighters have been fighting the fire in Gironde for almost a week, solidarity is being organized everywhere.

In La Teste-de-Buch in particular, residents have organized themselves to supply water and food to the firefighters.

A report from one of the special correspondents of Europe 1 on the spot.

REPORTAGE

The forest has been burning in Gironde for almost a week.

The work of firefighters is complicated, made difficult by the heat wave, but solidarity is organized to relieve them.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced the dispatch of 200 additional firefighters, in addition to the thousands of firefighters already mobilized.

Three Canadair and eleven heavy trucks are also dispatched as reinforcements.

In La Teste-de-Buch, the inhabitants are not left out, they have organized themselves to supply water and food to the firefighters.

"I'm bringing drinks and supplies," said a resident, as a firefighter told her where to drop off the food.

"If it is necessary to bring some back, there is no problem", she assures.

All day long, residents of the Arcachon basin show up spontaneously at the entrance to the fire department's logistics headquarters.

Car trunks are overflowing with cakes and drinks, donations to support the firefighters.

A supply to which Thierry has decided to contribute: "This morning, I brought them fruit juices, drinks, water, chocolatines and cakes. A good quantity, a good chest."

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Everyone contributes

Then, Laurence, with other volunteers, organizes storage and distribution in tents where firefighters have just swallowed a sandwich, quenched their thirst and breathed a little.

A real fraternity canteen.

"It's word of mouth. We make social networks work: as soon as we miss something, we send a message", explains the volunteer at the microphone of Europe 1. "Restaurants, pastry chefs, supermarkets... Everyone is mobilizing, even individuals," she said, receiving a new gift of chocolatines.

A Gironde firefighter chief warrant officer said he was very touched by this outpouring of solidarity.

"The population wants to please us by concocting small dishes, sandwiches and we see a surge of solidarity that I have rarely seen," he insists.

To supply the firefighters, these volunteers take turns day and night.