France mobilizes 1,500 soldiers to fight wildfires in the southwest

Lacanau – 25 July 2026: France is significantly expanding the deployment of its armed forces against wildfires in the southwest of the country. Following another interministerial crisis meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, a total of 1,500 soldiers are to have been deployed in the affected areas since Saturday evening. The focus is on Gironde, where the fires have been straining emergency services and residents for several days.

The Ministry of Defense described the operation as an exceptionally extensive support deployment for civilian emergency responders. Military units are to protect people and property in threatened areas, assist with evacuations and take on logistical tasks. According to the ministry, the armed forces medical service is contributing eleven medical teams that can provide additional care for particularly vulnerable people.

The soldiers are being integrated into the existing structures of the fire service, civil protection, police and local authorities. They are to monitor areas that have already burned, contain flare-ups and relieve specialized firefighting personnel. This will allow them to be redeployed more quickly to sections where the situation is worsening. Command of firefighting operations remains with the civilian authorities.

On Saturday, a military Airbus A400M transport aircraft was used for the first time in an actual wildfire operation. The aircraft dropped firefighting or fire-retardant agents over Lacanau. The Ministry of the Interior had previously stated that the aircraft had been prepared for this additional role as part of a joint project with Airbus. Training for the crews began on 20 July, according to the ministry.

At the same time, authorities are reinforcing aerial support. In addition to state firefighting aircraft and helicopters, France can request further capacity through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. The mechanism had already been activated on 5 July. Other EU countries subsequently provided, among other assets, firefighting aircraft from Sweden and Cyprus and helicopters from the Czech Republic. According to French authorities, other countries are also sending personnel or firefighting aircraft.

The military deployment follows a nationwide worsening of the fire situation. On 24 July, the Ministry of the Interior reported more than 50,000 hectares burned since the start of the year and 32 active fires in France. In dry areas marked by heat and wind, fires can spread rapidly; after days of operations, the need for relief crews, medical care and material transport also increases.

The army is therefore primarily taking on security, medical and logistical tasks. By increasing the deployment to 1,500 military personnel and carrying out the first A400M operation, France is expanding its available resources, while firefighters and civil protection services continue to lead the direct firefighting effort.