Around 200,000 people volunteer as firefighters in France, making up nearly 80 percent of the country's fire service. But as the country faces increasingly severe wildfires, the system is coming under strain.
Emma Albright - emma.albright@thelocal.com
Updated: Wed 26 Aug 2026 08:52 CET
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Fire intervention in Burgundy, France on June 22nd 2026. (Photo: A.C.)
Around 200,000 people volunteer as firefighters in France, making up nearly 80 percent of the country's fire service. But as the country faces increasingly severe wildfires, the system is coming under strain.
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