France is grappling with a critical shortage of operational Canadair firefighting aircraft amidst an intense heatwave.

Out of a fleet of twelve, only three are currently functional, with two stationed in Corsica.

This shortage is attributed to a structural lack of maintenance technicians and aging aircraft, some of which are over 25 years old.

The situation is exacerbated by a recent strike at Sabena Technics, the sole company responsible for maintaining these planes.

In response to the increasing threat of wildfires, exacerbated by climate change, President Emmanuel Macron announced plans in 2022 to replace the existing fleet and add four more aircraft by 2027. However, production delays mean new planes may not arrive until 2028, leaving France vulnerable during peak fire seasons.