France, July 25 -- The aircraft is to be equipped with a dispensing kit that can release 20 tonnes of fire retardant, equivalent to the capacity of two Dash firefighting aircraft. Its deployment had previously been scheduled for the end of the month due to preparations and testing.

Meanwhile, French authorities ordered the evacuation of towns near the southwestern city of Bordeaux "as a precaution", as wildfires moved towards the area.

The traffic information website Bison Fute urged drivers to avoid roads in the Gironde department, where Bordeaux is located, to free up access for emergency services. Massive fires ravage near a residential area in Lege-Cap-Ferret in the south of France, 23 July 2026.

Around 500 additional soldiers are ...