French Parliament calls for unified wildfire risk management

A parliamentary mission in France has released a report calling for a unified national approach to managing wildfire risks, following a devastating 2026 season. The report highlights a significant shift in scale, noting that nearly 100,000 hectares were burned and approximately 220,000 people were evacuated during the recent period.

The mission, composed of deputies and senators, recommends moving toward an integrated national system for risk prevention and civil security. A central argument of the report is the economic efficiency of prevention, stating that “one euro dedicated to prevention can avoid up to 29 euros in firefighting expenses.”

Key recommendations include improving the enforcement of brush clearing obligations, which were only 30% effective in 2025, and providing more resources to firefighters. The report also suggests clarifying responsibilities for land management and potentially introducing tax credits to encourage preventative measures.