“The police have already had to come to evacuate people who were on the ridge to take some photos, when they have other things to do. It’s not a show,” recalls Louis Poupin of the Grand Site de la Dune of Pilat contacted by 20 minutes. Faced with free riders in need of sensational snapshots and selfies against the backdrop of the burning forest, the managers of the highest dune in Europe have decided to rant and remind them of the safety instructions.
Since July 13, all accesses are strictly there, as well as to the ocean beaches and the road to Biscarrosse. This has not prevented some from still going there in recent days, the photos taken from the Dune of the pines which go up in smoke are legion on social networks. Not to mention the owners of drones who shoot videos of the fire which this Friday at midday had ravaged 3,150 hectares in La Teste-de-Buch.
The prefect of the Gironde made a point of recalling these safety instructions in its last press release of the day. Fabienne Buccio asks the population, local residents or not, to “not go to the disasters so as not to hinder the action of the relief workers” and calls for “the greatest caution”. The department has been on red alert to forest fires since July 14. Beyond the fire ravaging La Teste-de-Buch, the other source of concern comes from that of Landiras which has already destroyed 4,500 hectares.
Boaters, stay away
Nearly 1,000 firefighters from Girondins and from several barracks in France are hard at work to limit the spread of fires and try to contain them. They are supported in the air by drops of three Canadairs and a Dash plane which should receive air reinforcements from other countries in the coming hours.
When boaters see these Canadairs in flight not far from them, they are also invited to move away, as recalled in early July by Civil Security. This recommends staying 500 meters away so that planes can carry out scooping maneuvers and leaving the area free for one hour after the last plane has passed.
Otherwise, the boat trip risks taking on the appearance of a bad science fiction movie. Last year, in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, boaters were grazed by a Canadair.
As a general rule, the boats have time to prepare since the crew of the Canadair will take a low pass, at an altitude of between 30 m and 50 m on the scooping axis. A way to say “we’re coming, move away”. This is the signal to take to their heels, and anyone with a boating license is supposed to know it. Measures that jet ski enthusiasts, as well as swimmers or paddle fans should also respect. If you are in the Arcachon basin, keep your eyes and ears open.