France: Australian firefighters support southern France wildfire operations with Chinook helicopter.

RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “AUSTRALIAN NEW SOUTH WALES RURAL FIRE SERVICE (RFS)” HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO —EDITORIAL USE ONLY— SHOTLIST: MONT-DE-MARSAN, LANDES, FRANCE (AUG. 18, 2026) (AUSTRALIAN NEW SOUTH WALES RURAL FIRE SERVICE (RFS) - RESTRICTED) 1. VARIOUS OF AUSTRALIAN FIREFIGHTING AIRCRAFT CARRYING OUT WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION OPERATIONSMONT-DE-MARSAN, LANDES, FRANCE - AUG. 18 - RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “AUSTRALIAN NEW SOUTH WALES RURAL FIRE SERVICE (RFS)” HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO - EDITORIAL USE ONLY: Australian firefighters supported ongoing wildfire operations in southern France on Tuesday, Aug. 18, with a Chinook helicopter dropping large amounts of water on affected areas. The team is also working with French authorities to test nighttime firefighting operations, which could introduce the capability in France for the first time. The twin-rotor CH-47D Chinook can release 11,300 liters (2,985 gallons) of water in a single drop and operate during both day and night. It can refill its tank in about 90 seconds by drawing water from a nearby source. A wildfire raging in southwestern France’s Landes region has burned around 1,600 hectares (3,954 acres) and forced the evacuation of 650 people, local authorities said Saturday. Although the heatwave is gradually easing across western France, temperatures are expected to remain between 30C and 34C (86-93F) in several areas. High temperatures and persistent drought have significantly increased the risk of wildfires across the country.