The Forest weather issued its first-ever red alert for forest fires in the Bouches-du-Rhône department on Tuesday. This unprecedented decision is due to the extreme weather conditions forecast, including high temperatures, low humidity and winds of over 115 km/h.
In anticipation of this high-risk day, no fewer than 900 firefighters have been mobilised, as announced by Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Bergé, spokesperson for the Bouches-du-Rhône Fire Service, during his address at BFM Marseille Provence. This operation involves 400 additional firefighters called in to reinforce the 500 already on duty at the fire stations.
"We are particularly concerned given the weather conditions forecast", explains Lieutenant-Colonel Bergé. "Although the June rains gave us some respite, the current heatwave and the mistral, which Météo-France forecasts will reach 70 km/h, are making the situation very difficult".
Anticipating the risk of fire, the fire service did not wait for the Forest Weather Service to be set up. "Every year, in anticipation of similar periods, we bolster our on-call arrangements with 400 additional firefighters", the spokesperson said.
Whilst last year, on 14 July 2022, a forest fire ravaged 15,000 hectares in the Montagnette forest, the situation remains under control for the time being. Nevertheless, to minimise the risks, the Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture has decided to close 19 of the 25 forest areas for the day on Tuesday.
In an official statement, the prefecture states that "Entry, movement and presence are prohibited" in the Rougadou, Castillon, Calanques, Alpilles, Chambremont, Chaîne des Côtes, Lançon, Les Roques, Pont de Rhaud, Quatre Terme, Sulauze and Arbois mountain ranges, the Côte Bleue, Étoile, Garlaban, Sainte-Baume, Cap Canaille and, finally, the Grand Caunet.
In the face of these weather conditions and this unprecedented situation, vigilance remains key. The fire service and the authorities are calling on everyone to act responsibly to prevent fires from starting and to enable the emergency services to carry out their work under the best possible conditions.