France has pledged deeper international cooperation on wildfire prevention and climate resilience following one of the country’s most destructive fire seasons in decades.
The commitment comes as conditions improve around Bordeaux, where fires have burned approximately 42,000 hectares and forced 224,000 people to leave their homes. Around 84,000 evacuees have now been permitted to return, although firefighters continue to monitor smouldering areas and prevent further outbreaks.
From emergency response to prevention
In a joint statement with the United Kingdom, the French government said the two countries would strengthen cooperation to anticipate, prevent and respond to climate-related risks, with a particular focus on wildfires.
The agreement goes beyond the immediate deployment of emergency resources. It covers climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, risk reduction and closer coordination when environmental threats affect shared security and economic prosperity.
“Recognising that the increasing impacts of climate change know no borders,” the statement said, France and the UK would work together to advance international efforts on climate resilience.
The commitment was backed by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and his British counterpart Ed Miliband.
France, the UK and Spain have also pledged to coordinate their positions ahead of the COP31 UN Climate Summit this autumn, focusing on faster global decarbonisation, increased climate financing for vulnerable countries and greater protection against extreme weather.
Wildfires become a European security issue
The diplomatic push follows weeks of fires and successive heatwaves across France, Spain, Greece and other parts of Europe.
More than 115,000 hectares are estimated to have burned in France this summer, placing 2026 on course to become the country’s worst wildfire year since 1949. Vineyards around Bordeaux are also assessing the potential effects of smoke exposure on this year’s harvest.
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of deliberately starting fires near Bordeaux, according to French prosecutors. However, prolonged heat, dry vegetation and strong winds allowed the flames to spread rapidly and made them considerably harder to contain.
The joint declarations mark an effort by France to move the European response beyond emergency firefighting and towards permanent cross-border planning.
They also describe climate change as a growing threat to public health, national security, energy supplies and economic stability.
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Photo source: Emmanuel Macron Facebook page