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Ukrainian Firefighters Arrive in France to Combat 42,000-Hectare Wildfire
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A consolidated detachment of Ukrainian emergency specialists has arrived in the Gironde department of southwestern France to assist local forces in extinguishing a massive wildfire spanning approximately 42,000 hectares, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported on August 2.
Upon arrival, the Ukrainian team attended an operational briefing at the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service of Gironde (SDIS 33) alongside representatives from the European Union’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC).
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During the meeting, SDIS 33 Deputy Chief of Operations Aurélien Petit outlined the severity of the disaster, reporting that the active fire perimeter had expanded to roughly 240 kilometers.
French authorities emphasized that the Ukrainian specialists will be assigned to the most challenging and high-risk operational sectors, citing their specialized practical experience in managing severe disaster zones, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported.
The Ukrainian unit currently forms the largest foreign team deployed among all international partners assisting French firefighting operations in the area.
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Following the coordination meeting, the Ukrainian team proceeded directly to the disaster zone to conduct ground reconnaissance. Specialists evaluated the operational environment and inspected key target locations where containment and active suppression tasks are slated to begin immediately, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
The deployment follows a recent call between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron, during which Zelenskyy offered to dispatch Ukrainian emergency specialists to help combat the blazes as they threatened local communities and key defense manufacturing sites.
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