Seven water cannons (E.L.E.), usually used by the national police during demonstrations, were deployed to tackle the fire in Gironde. This decision, announced by the Minister for the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, on Thursday 30 July, marks a first in the management of forest fires in France.
These vehicles, traditionally used for law enforcement, will be tasked with protecting sensitive sites and tackling the fire’s edge from accessible roads. “ “They are not off-road vehicles, but they enable us to respond effectively from passable roads,” the minister explained. Their deployment comes as firefighters and emergency services struggle to contain the flames, particularly near the Souge military camp in Saint-Médard-en-Jalles.
An unprecedented mobilisation of law enforcement agencies
In total, around 50 CRS officers were sent as reinforcements to assist the fire brigade. Their mission was to secure the areas surrounding the disaster zones and prevent the fire from spreading to critical infrastructure, such as the Directorate-General for Armaments.
The National Gendarmerie has also bolstered its operations with ten Centaure armoured vehicles, whilst the military engineering corps has deployed aircraft and bulldozers to widen the forest tracks and create firewall. These measures form part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at containing the fire, which is mobilising an unprecedented level of human and material resources.
Firefighters, who have been on the front line for several days now, are continuing to carry out controlled burns and clearing operations to limit the spread of the flames. Their expertise and responsiveness remain crucial to protecting the public and natural areas.
To track the progress of the fires in real time, visit our map of current fires or report a fire via our dedicated platform.