With 55% of its area covered by forests, totaling 228,000 hectares, the Alpes-Maritimes department must prioritize forest conservation. For this purpose, the department boasts a substantial emergency response team: 1,334 professional firefighters, 3,018 volunteer firefighters from SDIS 06, 202 agents from Force 06, and 3 water-bombing helicopters. These resources can be deployed to other departments, such as Southern Corsica, for example. A column consisting of 28 vehicles, including 16 fire engines, a health support vehicle, and two logistical support vehicles, was sent as reinforcement to Corsica. Additionally, 85 men were assigned to this mission, placed under the command of Captain Patrice Alberti (column chief), Captain Frédéric Mora (deputy), and Captain Jean-François Allasia (PC chief).
As for the Alpes-Maritimes, the year 2008 was a “mild” year for forest fires. 81 winter fires destroyed 337 hectares and 37 summer fires burned 5 hectares. This is a positive development considering that forest fires destroy an average of 800 hectares per year. As of July 1, 2009, 67 forest fires have already burned 95 hectares.
To better manage the outbreak of fires, a preventative measure has been in place since July in the department. Indeed, the 2009 “Forest Fires” campaign was launched by Prefect Francis Lamy and the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service of Alpes-Maritimes (SDIS 06). This initiative aims to prevent and combat forest fires during the summer period. The first measure is the rapid intervention in nascent fires. For this, teams are on the ground: firefighter vehicles, patrols from the National Forestry Office, 13 watchtowers in the department, etc. The principle is to minimize the response time by positioning the emergency teams in the center of the risk areas.
For peri-urban zones, clearing vegetation between 50 and 100 meters from homes is the main solution to prevent the spread of fire. Depending on the risk, this measure is the responsibility of the residents. The rescue centers, however, attempt to act directly at the start of the fire. But they are also there to reassure the population and explain the course of action to take should a fire approach their homes.
The summer period is challenging when discussing forest fires. Fires ignite simultaneously in many towns. The fight is set to be intense against a scourge that cannot be fully controlled.
