France must adopt a “new strategy” to fight and prevent fires after the gigantic forest fires that marked the summer, Emmanuel Macron said on Friday. To do this, the president announced an additional 150 million euros from the state for the emergency services in 2023.
The number of Canadair will also increase from 12 to 16 in 2027, promises Emmanuel Macron. “We are going to invest massively so that by the end of the five-year term these twelve” Canadair already in service “are replaced and their number is increased to 16”, declared the Head of State. Emmanuel Macron also indicated that two heavy helicopters would soon be acquired, after a summer marked by gigantic fires in France.
“A Billion Trees”
He also wants “one billion trees” to be planted within ten years. President Emmanuel Macron promised Friday “the planting of a billion trees” on French territory “within ten years”, or “10% of our forest”, to compensate in particular for forest fires.
“It’s doable,” said the Head of State, referring to “a formidable ecological project and development of our territory”. He indicated that “a public financing mechanism” would be put in place to achieve this end, wishing in parallel a “wide mobilization”.
“Volunteering support plan”
The Head of State warned that this “exceptional summer” “may not be so so” in the future due to climate change, during a tribute ceremony in the village hall of the ‘Elysée, to those involved in fire fighting.
The Head of State also indicated during a tribute ceremony at the Elysee Palace that a “volunteer support plan” in the Sdis was going to be put in place. The objective is to “extend the period during which companies will be able to release their volunteer firefighter”, by compensating “better corporate citizens”.