Forest fire risk prevention on the Causse Noir with the Aveyron prefect and the Millau firefighters

Sur le Causse noir, au-dessus de Millau, pompiers et agents de l’office national des forêts travaillent main dans la main pour la prévention de feux de forêt. MIDI LIBRE – F.MAYET

Surveillance system with mixed patrols (firefighters, agents of the National Forestry Office), water reserve points, awareness raising among the population: crucial subjects addressed by the Prefect of Aveyron with the Millau firefighters this Thursday, July 25.

In the heart of the Causse Noir, above Millau. The forest is dense. And the risk of fires, inevitably, significant during the summer season. Hence, this Thursday, July 25, the moment desired by the Prefect of Aveyron, Charles Giusti, of a field meeting with the Millau firefighters and agents of the National Forestry Office (ONF). “Last year we had a five-hectare fire just behind and we had supplied our tanks with the water reserve, unrolls a fire officer from the city of gloves. Then we go to the Tarn to pump raw water to replenish the reserve.”

The prefect of Aveyron, with the sub-prefect of Millau and the firefighters, approached walkers who were already aware of forest fire prevention. MIDI LIBRE – F.MAYET

To control this fire of barely five hectares, it was necessary to replenish supplies from three reserve tanks – or about 90 m3 of water – located in the area. And the Causse Noir is planted on 18,000 hectares. “It is the challenge of updating the massive plan to think about new reservoirs,” insists the prefect. “There are already daily patrols, and joint ones, with firefighters and ONF resources.”One part, every day, from the Millau rescue center for the Causse Noir. Two from the Cavalry for the south of Aveyron to the limits of Gard and Hérault.

“Light risk phase”… for the moment

The tanks of these first contact vehicles hold 600 liters. "This allows for rapid intervention in the event of a fire", supports the prefect of Aveyron. "We are, at this time of summer, in a phase of light risks with a preventive phase, of reconnaissance." In the event of an increase in risks, the prefecture of Aveyron can, as last summer, alert other public service agents crisscrossing the territory (Enedis agents, the Post Office, gendarmes, police officers, etc.) such as hiking associations, cycle tourists to go to raise awareness among walkers and tourists.

Charles Giusti recalls, in passing, the three pillars of the fight against forest fires: "prevention, detection, intervention." < /em>This also involves legal clearance obligations throughout the year. "Many municipalities concerned are organizing information meetings on this subject."