Paris: Forest fires continue to ravage European regions, prompting France to announce a 12 million euro aid package to rebuild areas affected by wildfires in the southwest of the country. The announcement comes as wildfires persist across several European regions due to drought and exceptional heat waves.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, French Prime Minister S©bastien Lecornu revealed at a press conference that 10 million euros of the aid would be allocated to the Gironde region and 2 million euros to the neighboring Landes region. The funds are to be immediately available to local authorities to commence reconstruction efforts.
Lecornu also mentioned the preparation of a framework for reconstruction and adaptation to fire risks, expected to be completed within three months. Additionally, he announced a three-month exemption from social security contributions for affected businesses and economic entities, with the state covering property taxes for businesses impacted or situated in evacuated areas.
The Prime Minister indicated that the total cost of support measures could quickly surpass 100 million euros, especially considering the exemptions granted to affected businesses. He also announced the allocation of 2 million euros for a joint communication plan between the state and local authorities to bolster tourism and restore the attractiveness of the affected regions.
Regarding the wildfires in Europe, French authorities reported that a fire in the Pas-de-Calais region in northern France is under control after consuming approximately 190 hectares in the Mont Saint-Fr©aux area and destroying one house, with no casualties.
Spanish authorities noted progress in combating a forest fire in the Aragon region, which has burned over 17,000 hectares. The fire is mostly contained, alleviating concerns about it reaching the historic San Juan de la Pe±a monasteries.
In Belgium, rainfall aided efforts to combat the largest forest fire in the country’s modern history, which destroyed nearly 3,000 hectares near the German border. In Greece, fires on the island of Salamis were largely controlled, but not before claiming two lives and forcing the evacuation of around 600 people by boat.
Meanwhile, in Portugal, rescue teams continued to battle two fires in the north, with one in Torre de Moncorvo consuming at least 900 hectares since Saturday, involving around 400 firefighters, and another in Ponte de Lima with about 170 firefighters involved.