France: the fires are progressing, European countries are taking action
Fires in Gironde, near Hostens, August 10, 2022. AP
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
In the south-west of France, near Landiras in Gironde, firefighters continue to fight against a very powerful fire.
More than 6,800 hectares have burned since Tuesday afternoon, August 9, according to the Gironde prefecture.
On site, 1,100 firefighters took turns trying to control the flames.
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From our special
correspondent ,
Stéphane Duguet
Around Landiras, the flames continue to ravage the forest.
Firefighters feared the worst.
In the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, more than 5,000 hectares had burned.
This morning, it's much less.
The prefecture announces 600 hectares.
A surface which remains important.
The fire is still not under control.
On site, the firefighters are very vigilant.
They know that the situation is unpredictable.
In July, already in Landiras, they had succeeded in fixing the fire.
That is to say, he was no longer progressing.
The fire had buried itself in places.
Hot and dry
But because of the very hot weather, the very dry ground and the absence of rain, it eventually resurfaced.
The Minister of the Interior and the spokesman for civil security do not exclude that in the area, the fire could have resumed because of arsonists.
Thanks to the work of the firefighters, no other dwelling has yet burned down.
The fire threatens several municipalities.
It destroyed 17 houses in the town of Belin-Béliet.
For the 10,000 people evacuated, it is currently impossible to return home.
This Thursday, several fires continue to progress in France: in the Jura, in Drôme, Isère, Maine-et-Loire, Aveyron and Lozère, not to mention multiple departures throughout the country.
European reinforcements
Faced with this situation, France called for help and several European countries announced the dispatch of reinforcements.
Poland has announced that it will send 146 firefighters to help in the south.
Germany is sending 64 firefighters and 24 vehicles.
Four planes from the European Union's firefighting fleet were also sent from Greece and Sweden, according to the European Commission.
Germany, Greece, Poland, and in the next few hours Romania and Austria: our partners are coming to the aid of France in the face of the fires.
Thanks to them.
European solidarity is at work!
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 11, 2022
The government, mobilized, insisted on making the trip.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and her Minister of the Interior were present on August 11, in Gironde, in Hostens.
"
A new national plan for adaptation to climate change will be put together at the start of the new school year
", announced Elisabeth Borne, stressing "
that we must continue more than ever to fight against climate change and that we continue also (...) to adapt to this climate change
".
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