Kathmandu— In the heart of France’s Gironde region, marine firefighter Julien and his team are on high alert as they battle a wildfire that has prompted the largest evacuations in the country since World War II. With over 264 firefighters injured and four lives lost, the situation underscores the growing threat posed by climate change.

Adrenaline-Fueled Efforts

The signal to move comes suddenly — within a minute or so, the fire truck is full and speeding off into the distance. “There’s always a bit of adrenaline when you get the call,” Julien says. Despite the risks, he and his team are well-prepared for such moments.

Lieutenant Damien explains that while French flags still fly at half-mast in nearby towns to mark the loss of lives, it is fatigue rather than fear that poses the greatest challenge. “They’re sleeping very little,” Letitia, a firefighter and medic, notes.

Volunteers Join the Fight

Local volunteers have played a crucial role in supporting firefighters on the front line. Steven Page, one such volunteer, says they are there because they want to help. “We’re here because we’re needed,” he explains.

Maitre Julien acknowledges their contribution as ‘primordial,’ noting that these volunteers save firefighters precious time by transporting water and heading into blazes without proper protective gear or training.

EU Collaboration in Crisis

The battle against the Gironde fire has seen collaboration from across Europe. Dotted around the green lines on the map representing firebreaks are different European flags, including Germany, Slovakia, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Czechia, Switzerland, and Turkey.

EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib visited Bordeaux to meet local officials and learn how they felled trees and vegetation across 150 kilometers of land to create tactical firebreaks.

Future Preparedness

Climate campaigners argue that the EU must do more to prevent wildfires fueled by climate change. “This isn’t 'just nature,'” Greenpeace stated, emphasizing decades of burning coal, oil, and gas as contributing factors.

Lahbib acknowledges the need for better anticipation and prevention but emphasizes solidarity over controversy. She proposes a budget of €10.7 billion to improve EU crisis preparedness.

(With inputs from DW)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.