Alexandre Chauveau, edited by Laura Laplaud 08:08, July 21, 2022
Emmanuel Macron was in Gironde on Wednesday, meeting firefighters who have been fighting fires for nine days now.
"They are absolute heroes," said the head of state, who also thanked the gendarmes, members of the civilian protection and volunteers who are fighting the flames.
The president also and above all announced a major national project to replant the forest.
A major national project for the forest?
As soon as the situation permits.
Traveling to Gironde on Wednesday, Emmanuel Macron wants to draw the consequences of these dramatic fires and replant differently, this time to prevent risks.
"So we can't redo the forest as it was with the same rules, because there have to be paths, passageways that we protect. Because there, the work of the firefighters was hampered, risks were taken because the use of the forest was not the right one in the face of these risks", he declared on the spot.
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A symbolic move
Emmanuel Macron also announced that he wanted to increase the number of canadairs, relying on Europe, but his trip was above all symbolic.
The Head of State came to greet and support the firefighters.
"You did an amazing job saving lives to protect us... Thank you very much."
"We need you"
As well as tourism players, campsite owners in particular: “Really it was very hard for a week and the firefighters did an extraordinary job”, says a campsite owner.
"It's hard, we need you...", continues another.
"You have lost your campsites, you are there in front of me, your employees are there, and the holidaymakers are there, and I think that was the first objective...", replies Emmanuel Macron.
The president stayed nearly five hours on the spot.
A visit that takes place after nine days of fierce battle against the flames and at a time when the fire is about to be fixed.