Guillaume Dominguez (special correspondent in Gironde), edited by Gauthier Delomez 06:17, August 12, 2022

More than 1,500 firefighters are hard at work trying to control the flames near Hostens, in Gironde, where 7,500 hectares have already been burned since Tuesday.

The firefighters can count on reinforcements from abroad, but also on the farmers of the region, mobilized to put an end to the fire as quickly as possible.

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Along the departmental roads that surround the fire zone, spears in hand, the firefighters throw hundreds of liters of water on the flames that devour the pines.

A few dozen meters away, Pascal, standing on his 8,000 liter tank, awaits the signal.

This farmer from the Landes came voluntarily to supply the fire trucks with water.

"We followed the trucks, and once we are where it burns, we park on the side, on the road", he explains at the microphone of Europe 1.

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“As soon as the trucks are empty, we connect their pipes and refill the trucks so that they can continue to do their job,” continues Pascal.

Like him, several farmers in the region came to lend a hand to 1,500 firefighters who are trying to control the flames, while more than 7,500 hectares have already burned near the town of Hostens in Gironde.

Solidarity that saves firefighters precious time

Resupply stations like the one where Pascal is are themselves supplied by much larger tanker trucks.

Gérard, also a volunteer, transports 33,000 liters of water in his cistern.

With his truck, he can draw directly from the water points.

"We emptied it completely, and we had to go and recharge it in Lake Hostens", explains the volunteer.

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"We can't go on the tracks or the paths like that. We don't have tires that can withstand the heat, and we can just help to make 30,000 liters of water available", adds Gérard.

This chain of solidarity saves precious time for firefighters on the fire front.

In the sector of the municipality of Belin-Béliet alone, 60 volunteer farmers and foresters take turns to assist the firefighters.