An Airbus A400M military transport aircraft is set to be deployed from this Saturday in Gironde to bolster aerial resources in the fight against forest fires, at the request of the Home Secretary. This reinforcement comes as the fire, which has been raging since Wednesday, has taken on a unprecedented scale, driven by the wind towards the Bordeaux conurbation.
According to BFM TV, which reported this news, the A400M will be operational as early as this afternoon. This aircraft, normally used to transport troops and equipment, will be fitted with a detachable tank capable of dropping up to 20 tonnes of water or fire-retardant within a few seconds. This is a major asset – equivalent to three Canadair aircraft – in supporting ground crews.
An unprecedented mobilisation of emergency services
As the flames spread, seven towns on the outskirts of Bordeaux were evacuated as a precautionary measure. The fire service, which is already heavily mobilised, will benefit from this aerial reinforcement in its efforts to contain the fire, at a time when the situation remains tense in the south of France. The Ministry of the Armed Forces has stated that the A400M will provide support to the other resources already deployed.
The Gironde, which has been affected by persistent wildfires, is one of the departments under close surveillance. The authorities are urging people to remain vigilant and are asking the public to report any outbreak of fire.
To track the progress of the fires in real time, visit our alert map.