Christophe Garcia, 52, is the adjoint chief and general secretary of the CGT-Sdis 66 union, representing firefighters in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of southern France. He is organizing a convoy of firefighters to travel to Paris on September 29, 2026, to join a nationwide strike day for the public sector. This mobilization comes as the department has been hit hard by wildfires, including the devastating Trévillach fire that started on July 4. That fire consumed nearly 5,000 hectares of land, displaced around 12,000 residents, and damaged or destroyed about 50 buildings. In addition to this major blaze, the firefighters have been dealing with numerous smaller fires and routine emergencies, placing significant strain on the 350 professional firefighters and 2,000 volunteer firefighters in the region. Garcia points out that the Pyrénées-Orientales region is especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change. A recent study by the department found that between 2022 and 2024, there was a historic drought, with rainfall levels dropping by nearly half compared to the previous 30 years. This has led to a longer fire season, with some fires already starting in early 2023. During the Trévillach fire, two fire trucks were destroyed, and firefighters had to abandon them due to dangerous conditions, highlighting the extreme risks they face. To combat water shortages during firefighting efforts, the local fire and rescue service, Sdis 66, has resorted to using non-potable water from municipal swimming pools. Garcia stresses the need to address the root causes of these wildfires by improving forest management. He points out that the National Forestry Office has seen a significant reduction in staffing over the past 40 years, which has hindered proactive measures to reduce fire risks. Garcia suggests increasing staffing to plant tree species that are better adapted to the changing climate and promoting pastoralism—livestock farming—to help control shrub growth and reduce the risk of fires. In a new initiative, the CGT 66 union has launched its first shepherd union, with around 60 shepherds in the region working to support this approach. Garcia also emphasizes the importance of linking firefighting efforts with broader environmental and ecological concerns. He notes that younger firefighters might focus more on the technical aspects of their work and may not fully grasp the broader implications of their profession. He draws a parallel with rail workers who advocate for the environmental benefits of freight transport over road transport. As part of the mobilization, three days of strikes are planned from September 26 to 28, followed by an intersyndical public sector demonstration on September 29. Garcia hopes these actions will lead to securing the necessary resources and support to better protect the Pyrénées-Orientales region from the increasing threats of climate-related disasters.