Macron pledges national recovery as unprecedented wildfires ravage France and Spain

French President Emmanuel Macron pledged that the nation would overcome its ongoing crisis, praising the resilience of emergency crews and citizens as "a united people, standing shoulder to shoulder" against raging wildfires. He confirmed the full civil and military deployment of resources, including water-bomber planes and military transport aircraft.

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In these hours when the flames are severely testing our country, France reveals what it is: a united people, standing shoulder to shoulder. Thank you to our firefighters, our military personnel, the civil security forces, our gendarmes and police officers, as well as to the farmers and entrepreneurs, who through their commitment and courage, relentlessly combat the fires.

Macron's message, posted on X, acknowledged the severe impact of the fires, which have heavily affected regions like Gironde, Landes, Occitanie, Var, Hautes-Alpes, and Haute-Corse. He noted that "thousands of hectares have been ravaged, homes destroyed, activities disrupted, lives upended." The President assured affected residents, displaced families, and local officials of the government's commitment, stating, "We will rebuild, we will repair, and we will be there as long as it takes."

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All civil and military resources are mobilized: civil security aerial resources, Canadair, Dash, water-bomber helicopters, reinforcements from across France. One first illustrates the adaptability of our armed forces: the A400M is engaged in support of operations.

The French President also extended gratitude to Romania, Croatia, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia for dispatching critical emergency aid. "This is Europe," Macron declared, emphasizing that "In times of trial, it brings to life the solidarity that defines it." He also expressed solidarity with neighboring countries like Spain, Italy, and Greece, which are enduring similar conditions.

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thousands of hectares have been ravaged, homes destroyed, activities disrupted, lives upended

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the crisis as a "historic situation" requiring a "historic mobilisation." He announced that nearly 100,000 hectares have burned across the national territory, with approximately thirty fires simultaneously active, leading to the evacuation of over 167,000 people. The situation remains particularly critical in Gironde, where unpredictable weather shifts have complicated firefighting efforts. Nunez warned that "the forecasts are once again becoming unfavourable" and "the coming hours could be difficult."

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We will rebuild, we will repair, and we will be there as long as it takes.