rki.news | Sources: Xinhua
PARIS, July 24: France has requested activation of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism as severe wildfires continue spreading across the country, President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday.
Macron said the wildfire situation remained highly critical, especially in the southwestern Gironde department. France will receive aerial firefighting support from European partners, including Canadair aircraft from Croatia, Air Tractor planes from Portugal, and Black Hawk helicopters from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Satellite data cited by French media showed that more than 42,000 hectares of land have burned across France since the start of the year, exceeding the total area affected in 2025. Nearly 15,000 hectares were destroyed in the first half of July.
A major wildfire in Gironde has burned over 10,000 hectares, forced the evacuation of 40,000 people and destroyed dozens of homes. Another blaze in the Landes department spread across more than 2,500 hectares, prompting further evacuations.
French authorities reported that dozens of wildfires remained active nationwide, with more than 50,000 hectares affected since the beginning of the year.