France has been battling some of its worst wildfires in decades in the Gironde region. In response to a request from the French government Australia has sent a fire-fighting contingent to assist the French fight these historic fires.

 This has seen French fire-fighters receiving assistance from a NSW Rural Fire Service Chinook helicopter, a Bell 412 aircraft and a team of 24 aerial and ground crew to support the firefighting effort.

From France in a Wire exclusive Manon Louvet spoke to fire-fighters and residents about the situation on the ground