Forest fire risk in Dordogne
People in the department are being urged to be careful after outbreaks of fire with a ‘very severe’ risk of more
THE WHOLE department of the Dordogne is under a “very severe” risk of forest fires, a situation that has not existed since 2004.
This is the last stage before the maximum level of “exceptional” risk.
Since the start of the year, 85 hectares have already burnt in the department, including 55 in the past eight days.
Dry weather, sun and wind are contributing to the situation, as is carelessness.
The chief officer of the department’s fire service, Bernard Maumelle, said: “I am astonished by the ignorance of risk that we see in the Dordogne. Both residents and holidaymakers are not aware that fires can be very serious in this department; they light fires or barbecues anywhere, whereas people would not do that in the Mediterranean.”
He added: “Ninety-five per cent of fires are linked to human activity. A lot of people light bonfires at the bottom of their gardens and go off to eat, and when they come back the wind has spread the flames.”
Mr Maumelle is urging people to respect the bonfire ban that is in place until May 15.
The area suffers the same amount of forest fires as the Var or Alpes-Maritimes.
Photo: Aleksandr Klimashin - Fotolia.com
