Eighty-three French firefighters flew to Chile on Monday to help local rescuers fight the gigantic fires ravaging this South American country. These firefighters are leaders in their field, and who will try to bring their expertise alongside local relief.
Overwhelmed by the intensity and the number of simultaneous outbreaks, the Chilean authorities have launched an appeal for international assistance. Since February 1, 373,000 hectares of vegetation (a balance sheet as of February 10) have been burned, thousands of inhabitants have lost their homes and 24 people have died. “Chile has called on the assistance of its partners, explains the Quai d’Orsay. In accordance with the instructions of the President of the Republic, France immediately offered its assistance and responded to the request of the Chilean government”.
Hyper-specialized firefighters
Half of this detachment is made up of rescuers from the training and intervention units of the Civil Security of Corte and Brignoles. For the other half of the firefighters and marine firefighters of the Sdis (Departmental Fire and Rescue Services) in the southern zone (Ardèche, Ariège, Gers, Hérault, Hautes-Pyrénées, Pyrénées-Orientales, Var and Vaucluse) , the Battalion of Marine Firefighters of Marseille and the National School of Fire Officers.
“The personnel who go on site are specialists in tactical fire, helicopter detachments and commando detachments”, explains Jean-Claude Commes, lieutenant-colonel at Sdis Pyrénées-Orientales, responsible for the 42 civilian firefighters who flew away. Monday evening from Marignane airport, to land in the morning in Chile. “The 83 people assigned to this mission have skills in the three specialties”.
Backfire, a technique that takes years to master
Helicopter detachments and commandos are seasoned firefighters in the fight against fire in extreme conditions, especially in steep and inaccessible places. Tactical fires require great mastery of backfires, these fires voluntarily lit by firefighters upstream of the fires to better smother them. “It’s about lighting a band in front of the fire. By burning these plants, the fire is deprived of its food. It is a technique that requires years of skills on construction sites. [les feux]. It is acquired little by little over the years, because it is necessary to know the behavior of fire according to the type of forest wood, topographic conditions. “.
In addition to his mastery of tactical fires, helicopter and commando operations, Jean-Claude Commes was not chosen by chance to lead the civilian contingent. He worked for three years as a civil security worker in South America, in particular in liaison with Chile and Peru. His knowledge of the terrain and the organization of Chilean security should allow him to save time in this race against time launched against these fires which are ravaging the country.