French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the creation of a new forestry model in France, while visiting the coordination center in Bordeaux, from where operations to extinguish the large fires that have engulfed the country are being directed.
"So far the fires have burned 1,160,000 hectares since the beginning of the year. We will need to replant and create a different forest," Macron declared.
The French president stressed that forest restoration must take into account the challenges of climate change and the growing pressure from urbanization and tourism.
"We know that we will need to replant and rebuild a different forest, because we need to adapt to climate change conditions, as well as pressures from housing development and tourism," he said.
Macron also announced that the large fire that broke out on Thursday near Biscarrosse, in the Landes department, has now been brought under control.
However, he warned that the situation remains critical in the Gironde department, where flames continue to threaten the Bordeaux metropolitan area.
"The situation has stabilized somewhat, but it remains dangerous and we must be extremely careful in the coming hours and days," the French president declared.
