Teenager detained over French forest fire that killed two firefighters

French authorities have detained a 15-year-old youth suspected of starting a devastating forest fire that claimed the lives of two firefighters. The blaze, which began near Bordeaux airport, trapped the firefighters' truck in flames on July 21. The teenager has been formally placed under investigation and is being held in juvenile detention.

The deaths, alongside that of a volunteer firefighter in a separate blaze in southeastern France, have ignited anger among French firefighter unions. They argue that current resources are inadequate to manage the escalating number of wildfires plaguing the country this year. Union representatives met with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez on Thursday, but expressed dissatisfaction with his commitments, threatening industrial action in September.

France is currently experiencing a new heatwave, with firefighters battling blazes across the country on Thursday. The fires are exacerbated by high temperatures and wind, fanned by climate change conditions scientists have long warned about. These conditions create ideal environments for wildfires, making drought periods more intense and longer-lasting.

The fire near Lege Cap Ferret, which broke out on July 22, spread rapidly through a dense pine forest, forcing the evacuation of thousands from a tourist area on July 23. As of July 23 evening, approximately 800 firefighters were still engaged in battling the blaze, which had consumed 3,700 hectares.

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The commitments he made were not enough and threatened industrial action in September.