France Deploys Military Cargo Plane to Fight Wildfire Near Bordeaux
A French A400M transport aircraft dropped flame retardant on a wildfire threatening Bordeaux, prompting evacuations and the shortening of the Tour de France's final stage.
France dispatched a military A400M transport plane to release flame retardant over a wildfire in the Gironde region, where the blaze was about 30 km (20 miles) west of Bordeaux. The operation joined at least 18 other aircraft and helicopters that were rotating drops of water and retardant.
Authorities ordered evacuations for residents in the fire's path, including parts of Bordeaux's western suburbs and nearby towns. The city opened an exhibition centre to shelter thousands of evacuees and said it could accommodate up to 10,000 people if needed. Public transport at the airport was suspended, and mobile-phone alerts were sent to residents.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warned that shifting winds could push the fire toward Bordeaux and described the fight as “long and very difficult.” Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the fire had generated its own winds and that soldiers and 1.5 million face masks were being deployed to support firefighting crews.
The wildfire forced the Tour de France to shorten its final stage, moving the race to a reduced 89-km circuit in Paris and reallocating part of the event’s security personnel to assist emergency responders.
Across southern Europe, wildfires have displaced more than 250,000 people. In Spain, a separate blaze caused one death in Manises and prompted the deployment of thousands of firefighters and aircraft. European neighbours, including Italy, Greece, the Netherlands and several others, have offered additional aerial resources to aid the response.