After the violent vegetation fires that hit France this summer, Emmanuel Macron announced, Friday, October 28, more means to fight against the flames. France must adopt a “new strategy” fight and prevention against fires, said the Head of State. Facing the actors of the fight against fire gathered in the village hall of the Elysée, the President of the Republic warned that this “exceptional summer” not “may not be so much” in the future due to climate change. Franceinfo summarizes Emmanuel Macron’s main announcements.
▶️ For Emmanuel Macron, it is now a question of “better preventing fires, strengthening the means of fight and sustainably reforesting forests”. pic.twitter.com/5CTTpQliX5
— franceinfo (@franceinfo) October 28, 2022
Forest weather to prevent fires
“We will set up forest weather to facilitate fire prevention and nationwide forest fire weather to prevent, anticipate and inform”, confirmed Emmanuel Macron. On BFM TVon July 27, the Minister of Ecological Transition, Christophe Béchu had already announced the forthcoming creation of this “forest weather”.
An envelope of 150 million additional euros for the emergency services
First announcement: an additional envelope of 150 million euros for the departmental fire and rescue services (Sdis) in 2023, in order to strengthen the fight against forest fires with new human and material resources.
The Head of State also promised during a tribute ceremony at the Elysée that a “volunteer support plan” in the Sdis would be set up. The objective is to“extend the period during which companies can release their volunteer firefighters”, by compensating “better corporate citizens”.
The number of Canadair will increase from 12 to 16 by 2027
Emmanuel Macron also wants to increase the number of Canadairs in France to 16 by 2027, against 12 today, as part of a global plan to “emergency air rearmament” against forest fires of 250 million euros.
“We are going to invest massively so that by the end of the five-year term these twelve” Canadair already in service “be replaced and that their number be increased to 16”, said the head of state. Emmanuel Macron also announced that two heavy helicopters would soon be acquired, after a summer marked by gigantic fires in France.
“A billion trees” planted within ten years
The President of the Republic also promised “Planting a Billion Trees” on French territory “within ten years”that is “10% of our forest”. “It’s doable”, estimated the Head of State, referring to “a formidable ecological project and development of our territory”. He specified that would be put in place “a public funding scheme” to achieve this end, wishing in parallel a “wide mobilization”.