Emmanuel Macron announces the dispatch of a hundred French firefighters

“Canadian friends, reinforcements are coming.” The French President, Emmanuel Macron, announced on Sunday June 4 the sending “of a hundred” firefighters in Canada, where the fires are spreading rapidly in the east of the country, particularly in Quebec.

The country is facing one of the most catastrophic springs on the fire front. Almost all Canadian provinces are victims of gigantic fires which have forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate in recent weeks. In total, hundreds of firefighters from the United States, Mexico, South Africa and even Portugal were called in to help.

After the west of the country and the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan in early May, it is the turn of the east, with Nova Scotia and Quebec, to be affected due to hot weather and dry.

In total, more than 2.7 million hectares have already burned in 2023, eight times more than the average of the last 30 years, according to Canadian authorities. There are currently 214 active fires including 93 out of control across the country.