There is no smoke without fire. 66,393 hectares* of forest burned in 2022, compared to 1,694 in 2008. Each year, the disaster scenario of forest fires in France is getting closer to the breaking point. Due to the climate crisis, the heat wave and the resulting droughts are increasingly deadly for the vegetation, whatever it may be. And for the houses around too.
“Last year, we narrowly escaped tragedy. Despite the many fires that broke out all over the country, we did not deplore any deaths, “says Peter Gurruchaga, CGT general secretary of the Sdis and firefighter in the Val-d’Oise.
However, the adaptability of troops is not easy. Lack of material means, crisis of vocations, dangerousness of the profession, firefighters have been sticking their tongues out for several years now. With the removal of 1,000 tanker trucks since 2006, and a national strategy that is difficult to duplicate from one region to another, for geographical and climatic reasons in particular, the profession is being undermined. So, the year 2022 still very present in the minds of the troops, the summer season is, inevitably, very dreaded.
A geographical extension of the fire risk
“With climate change, we are now obliged to adjust the monitoring period for sensitive areas, explains Peter Gurruchaga. Now, it’s a problem that is now present almost all year round,” he assures us. As proof, the more than 20,000 hectares of forests already gone up in smoke since the beginning of 2023. Because the strategy which consists of the massive attack of incipient fires seems to have reached its limits.
Last year, firefighters had to deal with simultaneous forest fires, in Gironde and Aude, among others. And regions such as Brittany, the Atlantic coast or the Massif Central, hitherto preserved, had to face their very first forest fires.
“We thought, until now, that the strategy put in place following the huge fires that hit the south-east of France in the 1990s could be enough. Except that the tanker trucks have been abandoned. And today, we realize that they are essential, ”deplores the trade unionist.
Shortage of tankers for 2023
So, to respond to a pressing demand from the profession, and a need to avoid seeing the thousands of hectares of forest still standing lost in the country, the government announced, last April, a battery of measures aimed at strengthening the battalions. “It’s good to announce the order for 1,100 forest fire tankers, the problem is that it comes a little late. Because with the difficulties, these last months, to obtain certain materials, we will miss some to face the fires of this summer”, regrets Peter Gurruchaga.
To support firefighters, the ONF and Météo-France have already set up additional stations and sensors to detect changes in atmospheric pressure or smoke before a fire starts. Météo-France has also launched a “forest weather forecast” to warn of the risk of fire starting by department.
To see our entire interview with Peter Gurruchaga, go to the video at the very top of this article!
Source: Statista
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