In 2026, France has been hit by repeated dangerous heatwaves, with July recorded as the hottest month in mainland France since temperature measurements started a century ago. An exceedingly hot and dry year has fueled devastating wildfires, including the massive late-July blaze near Bordeaux in the Gironde, burning an area roughly four times the size of Paris in less than four days and forcing over 200,000 to evacuate from their homes in the Gironde and Landes departments. The fires are the largest France has seen since WWII, creating deep challenges for first responders and firefighters and leaving lasting impacts on communities and France’s forests and landscapes.
In response to the record-breaking heat and wildfires of unprecedented scale in France, Fondation de France launched an appeal for donations on July 27 to aid victims and support first-response teams on the front lines.
More than 3.8 million euros have already been raised. In early August, Fondation de France’s Emergency Response team traveled to Gironde to meet with the first local nonprofit partners to receive support. The goal was to assess needs, review the initiatives being supported, and set priorities for the future.
Among the organizations receiving support is the Fédération Française de Sauvetage et de Secourisme (French Federation of Rescue and First Aid, or the FFSS), a civil protection organization founded in 1899, which works alongside prefectures and local authorities to provide emergency reception, guidance, emergency shelter, and support for evacuees. Fondation de France interviewed Stéphane Voisin, National Director of Operations for the FFSS, to learn how philanthropic support has helped them respond to pressing needs.
What impact did the fires in Gironde have on your response efforts?
On the night between Friday and Saturday [July 24], I was alerted by the Crisis Management Operations Center (COGIC) at the Ministry of the Interior in Paris. The order was clear: mobilize all necessary resources to evacuate and provide assistance to the population of Gironde. At that point, there was still uncertainty about the true scale of the situation. By Saturday morning, our teams had arrived at the Palais des Congrès and the Parc des Expositions in Bordeaux. The first emergency shelter was already up and running. We immediately realized that we were facing an exceptional situation, both in terms of its scale and the speed at which it was unfolding.
What are the main challenges you’re facing?
The biggest challenge was the sheer number of people: more than 6,000 individuals were taken in, each with extremely varied needs. Very quickly, one priority became clear: communication. Evacuees were trying to reassure their loved ones, but the networks were overloaded and phones were dead. Fortunately, our management team had satellite connections and charging equipment. But given the scale of the situation, we had to quickly devise large-scale solutions to meet the need for electricity and internet access. At the same time, we had to significantly increase our capacity to accommodate people.
Thanks to the support of numerous organizations, we have managed to reach a capacity of 500 emergency beds in record time for our federation.
Today, we need to strengthen our first-response capabilities. This involves, in particular, acquiring high-capacity batteries to set up mobile electric charging stations, as well as improving our digital tools and satellite communications to ensure better coordination among our teams. Restocking our supplies is also a top priority to ensure we can respond quickly during future operations.
With the support of Fondation de France, what measures have you been able to implement?
An operation of this scale requires considerable resources that exceed the capabilities of our federation alone. In 10 days, we mobilized nearly 300 volunteers from 26 departments, totaling more than 7,000 hours of volunteer work. We were able to cover the costs of lodging and meals for these teams.
There is also heavy demand for supplies: we’ve seen a lot of damage and loss, and have been distributing numerous essential items to disaster victims, such as hygiene kits, blankets, and sleeping bags. Support from Fondation de France is essential to help us meet these needs and restock our supplies so that we are ready to respond again as soon as necessary.
How was the support for the affected communities organized?
Our volunteers were remarkable. In Lacanau, they provided more than 300 medical treatments and offered vital emotional support to farmers and firefighters battling the flames. At the Parc des Expositions, we assisted more than 1,000 people with special needs, with the support of 23 emergency vehicles and 54 logistics vehicles. We also carried out numerous evacuations for the Gironde emergency medical call center. We’re also providing five trucks loaded with donations (hygiene products, supplies, tools) to support local mayors.
One of the most challenging aspects has undoubtedly been supporting the elderly, who were often deeply shaken by the situation. They need us to listen carefully and empathetically. This is the largest peacetime population relocation operation ever carried out in our region. Our volunteers are returning home tired, but with a deep sense of having made a difference.
Above all, what stands out to me is the exceptional solidarity. Whether they were military personnel, professionals, volunteers, or elected officials, all civil protection stakeholders worked hand in hand. This crisis has shown that, when faced with the worst, working collectively and combining our strengths is our greatest advantage.
Thank You for Your Support
We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of generosity from our donors in solidarity with the communities impacted by wildfires and extreme heat across France. Your gifts allow us to support Fondation de France’s emergency campaign, which covers the full scope of the wildfire response, and provides funding where it is most needed across the affected regions, including the recent fires in the Gironde and Var departments. Through its network of local nonprofit partners and frontline responders, Fondation de France supports those best positioned to deliver the immediate help needed and develop long-term solutions.
On August 27, a nationally televised benefit concert will be broadcast on the French television network M6 and radio station RTL, featuring some of France’s best-known artists, including Pascal Obispo, Julien Clerc, Zazie, Renaud, and -M-. The concert will raise funds for Fondation de France’s emergency relief efforts for communities affected by the devastating wildfires and extreme heat.
Thank you for standing with those in need as they recover, rebuild, and prepare for the challenges ahead.
