28.07.2026 01:01
Due to massive forest fires that have been raging for days in France and Spain, approximately 375,000 people have been evacuated, and authorities warned that a new heatwave will further increase the fire risk. French President Emmanuel Macron summarized the disaster, saying, 'We are facing an unprecedented fire. We are experiencing the most serious situation ever recorded. We are facing the worst picture since World War II.'
French President Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, visited the Gironde Fire and Rescue Operations Center (CODIS) in Bordeaux.
"THE WORST PICTURE SINCE WORLD WAR II"
Macron, who received information about the fire affecting 42,000 hectares in the Gironde region in the southwest of the country, said in a statement, "I am here to express the support of the entire nation and to thank you. Without hesitation, you joined the fight again after what happened. We owe you a great deal."
Macron also commemorated three firefighters who lost their lives while on duty since the start of the fire season and offered condolences to their families and colleagues.
Highlighting the scale of the fires across France, Macron said, "We are facing an unprecedented fire. We are experiencing the most serious situation ever recorded. We are facing the worst picture since World War II."
Stating that approximately 116,000 hectares of land have been affected by fires nationwide since the beginning of the year, Macron said that prolonged drought, extreme heat, and wind have made forested areas more vulnerable to fire.
"WE WILL WIN THIS FIGHT TOGETHER"
Noting that the fire in Gironde has been stabilized over the past 24 hours but is not yet fully under control, Macron warned of possible new flare-ups due to rising temperatures and increasing dry winds. Pointing out that the fire is creating its own air movements, Macron said, "The last 24 hours have been positive, but we must remain cautious. Temperatures will rise again, and the wind will continue. Tomorrow could be more difficult than today."
Stating that the fight against the fire will be long, Macron said, "We will win this fight together. We will continue to adapt all our resources according to needs. This is the priority of priorities."
"THE PRIORITY IS HUMAN SAFETY"
Emphasizing that the first priority in fighting the fire is protecting human life, Macron said, "If we need to evacuate people to save lives, we will evacuate them. If we need to sacrifice forest or some material assets to protect lives, we will do that."
Macron stated that evacuated individuals will not be allowed to return home until safe conditions are established, and said that housing, economic support, insurance, and psychological assistance will be provided to those who lost their homes or workplaces.
"NO ASSESSMENT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIGHT"
Macron also responded to criticisms that the government was unprepared for the fires and that air assets were insufficient. Stating that the focus should be on the fight on the ground rather than polemics while the fire continues, Macron said, "No retrospective assessment is made in the middle of the fight. Now we must stay united and fight to win."
Macron said that after the fires are completely extinguished, air assets, evacuation decisions, forest management, and the response system will be evaluated in detail, and expressed that simply reforesting damaged areas in their previous form will not be sufficient. Macron stated, "We will have to replant and build a different forest. We must adapt to the permanent conditions of climate change and the pressure from residential areas and tourism."
220,000 PEOPLE EVACUATED IN GIRONDE
It was reported that a total of 220,000 people have been evacuated in Gironde since July 22, and according to initial damage assessments, 277 structures have been destroyed, burned, or damaged. While no civilian casualties were reported, it was announced that many firefighters were injured during the intervention. Over 2,500 firefighters, 1,500 soldiers, police and gendarmerie teams, and 18 air assets took part in the fight against the fire. Upon France's request, the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism was also activated, and aircraft and helicopters sent from various European countries supported the efforts.
CANADAIR FLEET BECOMES A TOPIC OF DEBATE
The Gironde fire brought France's aging firefighting aircraft fleet and Macron's 2022 promise back to the agenda. In October 2022, Macron announced that the existing 12 firefighting aircraft would be renewed, 4 new aircraft would be added to the fleet, and the total number would be increased to 16 by the end of his term.
France currently has 12 Canadair CL-415 type firefighting aircraft with an average age of about 30 years. The fact that only 7 of the aircraft were operational during the Gironde fire, while the other 5 were in maintenance, and that air support was requested from European countries, drew criticism from the opposition and local administrators. While the first 2 new DHC-515 type Canadairs ordered by France are expected to be delivered in 2028, the 2 additional aircraft ordered in June are projected to join the fleet in the 2032-2033 period. Thus, despite 4 new aircraft being ordered, it became clear that Macron's 2027 timeline announced in 2022 will not be realized. Footage of Macron announcing in 2022 that the fleet would be increased to 16 aircraft by 2027 was reshared on social media, while Jean-Luc Melenchon and politicians from the National Rally party criticized the government for failing to keep its promise and delays in aircraft purchases. Social media posts expressed backlash over part of the existing fleet being in maintenance and the fact that new aircraft will be delivered no earlier than 2028.
Macron, however, stated that the Canadair production line had been closed for many years, saying, "In 2017, Canadairs were no longer being produced. There was no debate about 2, 4, or 6 aircraft at that time, because zero aircraft were being produced." Macron argued that France, acting together with 6 European countries, contributed to restarting production, and said that the delivery schedule depends on the manufacturer's capacity.
FOREST FIRE ALERT CONTINUES IN FRANCE AND SPAIN
The fight against forest fires continues in France and Spain. The number of people evacuated from their homes due to the ongoing spread of flames in both countries has exceeded 375,000.
The major fire in Gironde started on July 22 in the Saumos area west of Bordeaux. Fuelled by extreme drought, high temperatures, and wind, the rapidly growing flames spread around Le Porge, Ares, and Cap-Ferret, affecting 42,000 hectares. While the advance of the fire affecting 3,600 hectares in the Landes region south of Gironde was halted, fires were also fought in the Var, Corsica, and Hautes-Alpes regions. Across France, 13,550 fires have been recorded since the beginning of the year, and approximately 116,000 hectares of land have been reduced to ashes.
Spanish Minister for Ecological Transition Sara Aagesen, in a statement, said that fires in the Madrid, Avila, and Toledo regions have burned approximately 77,000 hectares of land.