Fires in Gironde: permits to rebuild destroyed houses "on an equivalent basis" within a month

The government wants to accelerate the reconstruction of homes destroyed by the massive fire in Gironde last July. During a press conference held on Monday, August 17th in Mérignac, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that requests for reconstruction based on equivalent standards would be processed quickly.

Building permits issued within one month

"For equivalent reconstructions, we will ensure that these building permits can be issued overall within a period of one month," or even "less than one month," the Prime Minister said during a press briefing in Mérignac, Gironde.

"I do not want the public authorities, that is to say the municipalities and the State, to be singled out or accused of excessive bureaucracy that would delay this return to normal," he added.

A reconstruction adapted to the risk of fire

For reconstruction projects deemed more complex, natural risks, particularly forest fires, as well as environmental issues will have to be taken into account.

Sébastien Lecornu has tasked the "Reconstruction and Adaptation of Territories" (MRAT) mission, launched at the beginning of August, with developing within three months a reconstruction doctrine integrating adaptation to risks.

"The idea is to build in a safer way with regard to fire risk, that is to say not necessarily in the same areas. Some areas will probably be identified as requiring no further construction there," explained Vincent Jeanbrun, Minister of Urban Affairs and Housing.

Temporary structures authorized for three years

Regarding the rehousing of disaster victims, "100% of the people who reported to the various single support centers have an accommodation solution," according to Vincent Jeanbrun.

The government also plans to increase funding to support local authorities in emergency rehousing.

A decree is also expected to authorise the installation of temporary structures on private or communal land for three years, compared to one year currently.

More than 42.000 hectares ravaged by flames

The fire, which began on August 1st, has burned through 42.000 hectares. It is the largest fire recorded in France since 1949 in terms of area.

The flames came within 15 kilometers of the Bordeaux metropolitan area and caused the evacuation of more than 220.000 residents and tourists.