French farmers join frontline fight against wildfires
French farmers have been praised by the country's top leaders after mobilising to help fight devastating wildfires, using tractors and water tankers alongside emergency crews.
In south-western France,wildfires have spread throughout Gironde (near Bordeaux) leading to serious concerns for neighbouring farms.
The French Minister of Agriculture, Agri-food and Food Sovereignty, Annie Genevard, today praised farmers who volunteered to help combat the fire.
On social media, she shared a video of a farmer hosing the flames from a moving tractor trailer.
The minister said: “In the face of the fires ravaging Gironde and Var, thousands of farmers from numerous regions are once again mobilising alongside the firefighters.
“With their tractors, their water tanks, and their knowledge of the terrain, they provide essential logistical support for creating firebreaks or securing access routes, with exemplary commitment.”
However farmers who want to help in the fight against the Gironde fire have now been asked to register with the Gironde Chamber of Agriculture website.
According to the ministry, this is to allow farmers' actions to be co-ordinated with those of the firefighters.
The ministry said this would ensure the "best guarantee of action that is effective, useful, and safe.”
French farmers
The French president Emmanuel Macron also had a special word of thanks for the country's farmers today.
He said: “Thank you to our firefighters, our military personnel, the civil security forces, our gendarmes (military police) and police officers, as well as to the farmers and entrepreneurs, who through their commitment and courage, relentlessly combat the fires.”
Separately Ulf Kristersson, prime minister of Sweden, has confirmed that his country is also assisting the battle against extensive forest fires in France.
“When people, nature, and communities are threatened, European countries should be able to support each other.
“Through the EU's civil protection mechanism, Sweden is sending firefighting aircraft to contribute to the effort.”
Friedrich Merz, chancellor of Germany, also confirmed that it is sending aid to the French wildfire areas, with helicopters, an A400 aircraft, and helpers on their way.
