As more than one quarter of a million people flee wildfires in France and Spain, President Macron has commended the nation for supporting each other, and has promised that the country will rebuild.
In a heartfelt post on social media, the French president said: “In these hours when flames are severely testing our country, France reveals its true nature: a united people standing shoulder to shoulder.”
He pledged: “We will rebuild, we will repair, and we will remain present for as long as necessary.”
President Macron also thanked the “firefighters, military personnel, civil security forces, gendarmes, and police officers, as well as the farmers and entrepreneurs who, through their commitment and courage, are fighting the fires tirelessly.”
He confirmed that all civil and military resources have been mobilized: “Civil Security air assets—including Canadair and Dash aircraft and water-bombing helicopters—and reinforcements from across France.”
The president said the A400M aircraft is being used to support operations, a first-time deployment which “illustrates the adaptability of our armed forces”.
Macron reiterated that “the Nation stands fully committed alongside the residents, all the affected families, and those who have been displaced and are in our thoughts.
“Mayors, local elected officials, and State services—including prefects and prefecture staff—are on the front lines, protecting, supporting, and preparing for the aftermath. They can count on the unwavering support of the Republic.”
President Macron thanks other countries for their support
The president thanked Romania, Croatia, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia for their “invaluable support”.
He added: “This is Europe. In times of crisis, it embodies the solidarity upon which it was founded.”
He also said “our thoughts also go out to Spain, Italy, Greece, and all the peoples who are likewise facing fires.”
Update on wildfires in France
In an update on the fires, President Macron said: “In the Southwest—particularly in Gironde and Landes; in the South—notably in Var, Hautes-Alpes, and Haute-Corse; in Occitanie—especially in Pyrénées-Orientales—and indeed wherever the flames strike, thousands of hectares have been ravaged, homes destroyed, activities interrupted, and lives turned upside down.
“We will rebuild, we will repair, and we will remain present for as long as necessary.”
Cannes Mayor echoes president’s sentiments
Cannes mayor, David Lisnard, echoed the president’s sentiments. He spent today visiting the Haut-Var region, where one of the most significant wildfires is raging.
Lisnard said on social media: “I would like to thank Jean-Pierre Veran (Mayor of Cotignac), Franck Panizzi (Mayor of Pontevès), and Didier Brémond (Mayor of Brignoles and President of the Var Mayors’ Association) for their welcome. There, as always, I saw local elected officials on the ground—on the front lines—making the right decisions with great responsiveness.
“I saw many firefighters, of course, whose dedication and work in the face of unpredictable fires are simply exceptional. I saw remarkable Civil Protection teams, law enforcement officers, and municipal and inter-municipal staff—and I witnessed a great deal of solidarity from residents, business owners, and everyone involved.”
