Fire in the Gardiole massif: the crucial role of vines in slowing the spread of fire

Ces vignes, situées sur les hauteurs de Frontignan, n’ont pas été impactées par l’incendie qui s’est rapproché à seulement quelques mètres. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

The wine estates north of Frontignan have, for some, acted as natural firebreaks during the spread of the flames. A little less than five hectares are said to have burned.

Seen from the sky, the observation is striking. A huge area of ​​scrubland of about 350 hectares has disappeared. Everything is gray. Everything has burned. However, all around, the vines still stand upright, like soldiers who have guarded their position with panache. They are a green that seems almost saturated, contrasting sharply with the black and white of the vegetation that has gone up in smoke.

At the origins of a very useful power

This observation is not surprising. It even makes sense. “Vines have always been a natural firebreak, recalls Jérôme Bonnafoux, spokesman for the Hérault firefighters. They prevent fire from spreading.” A sort of superpower, therefore, which is ultimately quite easily explained.

Read also: VIDEO. Fire in the Gardiole massif: impressive images of the flames seen from the sky

“The vine is always green. It burns with difficulty, unlike conifers. And, normally, at the foot of the vines, there are supposed to be no grasses. The former can certainly heat up, but the flames will therefore have difficulty not spreading since they no longer have anything to feed on”, explains Marc Clopez, forest fire expert and vice-president of the Hérault forest owners' union.

The very useful role of wine paths

In addition to these initial explanations, it is worth recalling the importance of paths along the edge of vineyards. “They also contribute to this role as a firebreak, since they act as a break in the fuel”, adds William Juan, president of the Frontignan Muscat cooperative cellar. In addition, these paths were used for the intervention of fire engines on Sunday.

With just under five hectares of vineyards burned, we got out of it well

The vines did not serve as support for the firefighters' strategy in their fight against the fire. “But they were taken into consideration for what is called the analysis of the intervention zone. In anticipation, we knew that the fire would slow down on vines or maintained land, even if we were not protected from fire surges”, specifies Lieutenant-Colonel Jérôme Bonnafoux. “Given the wind that was blowing on Sunday, I have the impression that this is what happened”, believes Marc Clopez.

Read also: Fire in the Gardiole massif: when the fear of the flames spreads from Gigean to Frontignan

Grass cover, what consequences ?

Another reason could also explain why some vines burned and not others: grass cover. Depending on the cultivation methods used by winegrowers, they may voluntarily keep a carpet of vegetation at the foot of the plants.

This important source of organic matter has multiple advantages (protection and aeration of the soil, limitation of erosion and runoff…), but also spreads the flames in the estates.

In total, “a little less than five hectares of vineyards burned on Sunday, reveals William Juan. Given the extent of the damage to the scrubland, we can say that we came out of it well." So, thank you to the vines and the winegrowers.

Also read: Gardiole fire: when the rescue of dromedaries leads them to the Frontignan arenas

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