European wildfires are being tackled with planes and ground crews. Fires are difficult to stop due to extreme conditions.
Key facts
- •French firefighters are using planes loaded with fire retardant to combat the fires.
- •A Canadair plane can scoop 6,000 litres of water from lakes or the sea in 12 seconds.
- •In Gironde, 2,500 firefighters, 1,500 military personnel, and 1,200 police officers and gendarmes are involved in tackling the blaze.
- •A blaze near Bordeaux has torn through more than 162 sq miles (420 sq km) in less than four days.
European wildfires are spreading due to extreme and unpredictable conditions, making them difficult to stop. French firefighters are using planes loaded with fire retardant to combat the fires.
By the numbers
Firefighting Efforts
French firefighters have been using planes like the Canadair, which can scoop 6,000 litres of water from lakes or the sea in 12 seconds and drop it directly on the fires. On dangerous days, loaded aircraft patrol high-risk areas before any fires have been reported, so they can drop within minutes of a sighting.
Personnel Involved
In Gironde, about 2,500 firefighters, 1,500 military personnel, and 1,200 police officers and gendarmes have been involved in tackling the blaze. However, Gironde official Jean Luc Gleyze stated that authorities don't have enough people to combat the fires.
Advertisement
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Science & Environment.
