Arsonist in southern France jailed for five years for starting four fires this summer
474 arrests have so far been made this summer in relation to wildfires
A man in southern France has been sentenced to five years in jail for starting four fires this summer.
The 51-year-old started fires in Amélie-les-Bains (Pyrénées-Orientales) between July 1 and August 29, as well as two blazes near Perpignan on August 28.
Two fires broke out near the city that day. The first burned a hectare (10,000m²) of land and saw traffic on the A9 heading towards Spain reduced and the use of a water-dropping helicopter. The second blaze burned around 2,000m² of vegetation on the banks of the Têt river before being put out.
Overall, 70 firefighters were mobilised tackling the two blazes.
The five-year sentence is fully comprised of jail time, with none of the sentence suspended.
In addition to this case, courts in the Pyrénées-Orientales have also already sentenced a 41-year-old man to two years in prison for a fire in Calce on July 7, and a 36-year-old to an 18 month sentence for a fire between Saint-Estève and Baho on July 17.
In all the above cases the sentences contain a certain amount of fixed jail time, with sentences only partially suspended.
A further trial of a 49-year old suspected of starting a fire near Rivesaltes on July 9 is also set to be heard in the coming days. This blaze destroyed around 90 hectares and saw nearby Perpignan airport temporarily closed.
France cracks down on arsonists
French authorities have targeted arsonists this year, arresting hundreds in relation to wildfires and quickly processing arrests and imprisonments.
The most recent figures from the Interior Ministry, released on August 14, state 474 arrests have so far been made this summer in relation to wildfires, including 183 minors.
Around 90% of wildfires are caused by human activity in France, with 31% of all blazes estimated to have been started deliberately.
In certain circumstances French law also allows for criminal prosecutions against those who start fires by accident, for example by dropping still-lit cigarettes on the ground.
France’s summer wildfire season remains ongoing, with state forecaster Météo France updating its wildfire risk map until September 30.
A new heatwave this week could increase the risk of blazes returning, particularly in the south-west where temperatures of up to 40C are possible.
Regardless of any future blazes, this summer has already been the most devastating for France in terms of wildfires, with more than 90,000 hectares of land burned and four firefighters killed.
This tally includes nearly 40,000 hectares in Gironde alone, the site of a megafire in July.
An interactive map showing all major fires this year is available through public service broadcaster France Info.
