TotalEnergies has announced it will cover the cost of fuel for firefighters battling wildfires this summer. The program covers all of mainland France and runs from July 1st to August 31st, 2026. The assistance applies to both ground vehicles used by fire and rescue services and aircraft involved in fighting forest fires. This includes vehicles deployed on the ground, as well as Canadair and Dash aircraft used by the Civil Security service.
Donations in the form of assets for emergency services
The support will not take the form of individual reimbursements made directly to firefighters. TotalEnergies will provide donations in the form of vouchers to the relevant departmental and national services. These vouchers will allow the beneficiary organizations to subsequently purchase fuel from TotalEnergies. The scheme will retroactively cover expenses for the period beginning July 1st, even though the announcement was made on July 31st. For ground vehicles, the group must contact the departmental fire and rescue services (SDIS) to determine the specific details of the operation in each department. The portion concerning aerial resources will be coordinated with the Directorate General for Civil Security and Crisis Management, which reports to the Ministry of the Interior.
The land vehicles and water-bombing aircraft concerned
Fuel used by emergency vehicles, firefighting equipment, and support resources will be covered by the scheme. The aid will also extend to water bomber aircraft. Canadair aircraft, capable of scooping water directly from a body of water before dropping their load, and Dash aircraft, used to transport and drop several tons of water or fire retardant, are among the aircraft specifically mentioned by TotalEnergies. Since the beginning of the summer, the company also states that it has prioritized supplying fire and rescue services in areas where firefighting efforts have intensified.
Nearly 200 volunteer firefighter employees released
TotalEnergies has nearly 200 volunteer firefighters among its employees. The group has decided to allow those who wish to do so to join the teams fighting fires during the summer. The employees concerned will be released from their professional obligations while retaining their salary. The days spent on rescue operations will not be deducted from their vacation time. This measure is intended to facilitate their availability during a period marked by significant human and material needs in several French regions. It complements the fuel allowance already in place until August 31.
