France 2026 wildfires strain fire services, prompt reform push

France is confronting unprecedented wildfires this summer, affecting regions such as Gironde, Landes, Var, Corsica and the Hautes‑Alpes. Around 220,000 residents and tourists have been evacuated, many under the coordination of firefighters, the army and local authorities.

Parliamentary rapporteurs Sophie Pantel (PS) and Damien Maudet (LFI) warned that existing fire‑fighting resources are no longer adequate for the scale of the fires, citing outdated aerial equipment and insufficient funding for departmental fire‑and‑rescue services (SDIS). They called for a multi‑year programming law similar to the military's, and for accelerated investment in modernised fleets.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has pledged a Senate review of a pending civil‑security reform in the autumn, with a possible draft to reach the National Assembly by February. Minister Françoise Gatel expressed gratitude to local officials and emergency forces, emphasizing the need for rapid sheltering and support for evacuated populations while acknowledging criticism from opposition parties.