Pyrénées-Orientales announces support measures following the July wildfires
Following the devastating wildfires that burned almost 5,000 hectares, forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 people, and affected around 180 farms, the Département des Pyrénées-Orientales has announced a package of emergency support and longer-term recovery measures.
Immediate help for residents
People whose main home was damaged by the fires will be eligible for a €500 emergency payment to help cover essential food and hygiene purchases.
Additional support is also being provided for:
- elderly residents
- people with disabilities
- vulnerable families
- children in care
Social support centres and dedicated telephone services have also been set up to help residents with insurance claims and administrative procedures.
Support for farmers
Recognising the heavy impact on agriculture, the Département is asking the French government to create an emergency fund for affected farms and plans to contribute alongside the Occitanie Region.
The most severely affected farming households will also be eligible for an additional €1,000 solidarity payment, with details to be confirmed later this year.
Tourism remains open
Local authorities are keen to reassure visitors that the Pyrénées-Orientales remains open for tourism. A promotional campaign will encourage visitors to continue holidaying in the region, with particular attention given to supporting businesses in the Aspres and Conflent areas that were affected by the fires.
Looking ahead
The recovery plan also includes measures to:
- restore damaged natural areas and wildlife habitats
- improve forest fire prevention
- strengthen water resources and firefighting infrastructure
- help municipalities repair public facilities
- improve long-term resilience to increasingly frequent wildfires linked to climate change.
Editor’s note: The original official press release runs to 13 pages and contains detailed information about the Département’s response and future plans following the recent wildfires. We’ve condensed it here to highlight the key points most likely to interest our readers, while preserving the main information released by the local authorities.