France's Southwest Megafire Draws Firefighters from Mayotte and Sarthe

A massive wildfire that broke out near Saumos in southwestern France on 22 July has burned roughly 42,000 hectares. Ten firefighters from the overseas department of Mayotte are travelling to metropolitan France, joining a contingent of 27 Reunion firefighters, to reinforce the teams battling the blaze. The Mayotte crew previously assisted mainland crews after Cyclone Chido, and now return the solidarity by helping contain the megafire.

Mickaël Girault, chief of the fire‑rescue centre in Courdemanche, Sarthe, has also been deployed to the Gironde department. He left his small commune on 31 July to join a team of about twenty firefighters sent by the departmental fire service. Girault will stay until 3 August, protecting homes and a military camp near Bordeaux. The mayor of Courdemanche praised his commitment and wishes him a safe return.