France sends 500 additional soldiers to areas affected by forest fires

Bordeaux – 25/07/2026: In response to the severe forest fires in southwestern France, the government is increasing armed forces support for the heavily mobilized firefighters. After an interministerial crisis meeting, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on Friday, July 24, the deployment of 500 additional soldiers to Gironde and the Landes department. According to the government, more than 1,000 military personnel in total are to support the civilian forces engaged.

The additional units are expected on Saturday in a situation that could change rapidly due to widespread vegetation fires and shifting winds. Their missions primarily concern logistics, traffic management, securing evacuated areas, and setting up the necessary infrastructure. The soldiers will not replace either the firefighters or their specialists in direct firefighting. They are intended to relieve the firefighters so that they can concentrate their personnel and equipment on the fire fronts.

With this reinforcement, the government is responding to pressure that exceeds the capacities of regional civil protection. During major fires, the fire services of the affected departments receive support from other regions of France, as well as from the national Civil Security service and the armed forces. However, military units remain integrated into the civilian command of operations.

Aerial support is also to be strengthened. On July 23, the Ministry of the Interior stated that an A400M military transport aircraft could be experimentally equipped with a system for dropping fire retardants. The aircraft could carry up to 20 tonnes of this substance. Operations are planned ahead of the fire front in order to treat particularly threatened areas preventively. The information provided did not yet specify whether or when the aircraft could be used regularly.

These plans complement the water-bombing aircraft already stationed in the Southwest defence zone. According to the Nouvelle-Aquitaine prefecture, Bordeaux and Limoges have permanent facilities for loading extinguishing agents. During the summer season, an additional facility is put into operation, alternately at Mont-de-Marsan air base or Pau-Uzein airport. Short refuelling distances are intended to reduce the time between different aerial operations.

Lecornu’s decision therefore combines military logistics, civil protection, and coordination among several ministries. Protecting the population, evacuations, and securing the main traffic routes are priorities. According to information from Gironde, firefighters on site are calling for additional capabilities, particularly aerial ones. At the time of the government’s announcement, no uniformly confirmed data were yet available on the extent of the destroyed areas or the development of the various fire outbreaks.