Charlotte Barriquand, edited by Solène Leroux with AFP
The fires in Gironde started a week ago. Nearly 19,000 hectares of forest were destroyed by fire, but not only. If no victims are to be deplored, at the foot of the Dune du Pilat, the fire notably took away the five campsites evacuated from their 6,000 occupants on July 13, including that of the Dune-Les Flots Bleus, immortalized by the films Camping. “Patrick is crying,” tweeted actor Franck Dubosc, who plays the main character, Patrick Chirac.
We will rebuild our campsite! pic.twitter.com/QvUQJkiHPS
— franckdubosc (@dubosc_franck) July 18, 2022
“It’s heartbreaking. Economically, it’s going to be extremely difficult for them, as for the town. The tourist season, we need it! But we’ll get over it,” reacted Mayor Patrick Davet.
Helping the entire economy around campsites
These burnt campsites mean professionals who lose everything. The government is considering solutions to support healthcare professionals La Teste-de-Buch, in the Arcachon basin. Olivia Grégoire, Minister Delegate in charge of Small and Medium Enterprises, Trade, Crafts and Tourism, announced it Tuesday morning to the press. “We will take supportive measures to protect campsites that have been very heavily affected,” she began.
The campsites will not seem to be the only ones to benefit from the aid. “We are also looking to try to help around the campsites: businesses, craftsmen, small restaurants, sandwich shops, ice cream parlors, all those who live from tourism in the summer around these campsites”, added she continued.
Be in the action
The government is studying “how it would be possible to engage their insurers and their insurance to support them, but also perhaps to help them for a certain number of them”.
“In the coming days, the government will take measures and will ensure with other economic players, such as insurers, that their assets are well protected,” said Olivia Grégoire. And to conclude: “Beyond compassion, we must be absolutely quick in action.”