French firefighters test drones and seek more resources amid wildfires

Firefighting services in France are implementing new technologies and seeking increased resources following intense wildfire activity. In the Oise department, firefighters are testing specialized drones equipped with high-pressure water nozzles connected to ground tanks. According to Colonel Pierre Bépoix, these drones can reach heights of 100 meters, significantly exceeding the 40-meter reach of conventional ladders, making them effective for urban fires and steep, inaccessible terrain.

In Loire-Atlantique, recent wildfires have prompted local leadership to call for greater state support for emergency responders. Michel Ménard, president of the Department and the local fire service, praised the mobilization of hundreds of firefighters during recent intense operations but warned that local organizations cannot indefinitely absorb the impact of increasing extreme weather events. This call for resources follows strike notices from nine professional firefighter unions demanding improved means and government action.