A hundred French firefighters are due to land in Quebec on Thursday afternoon. Among them is a detachment of seven members of the Gard fire department, a region located in the south of France. These sappers use the particular technique of tactical fire, which consists of fighting fire with fire.
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“It is an ancestral technique developed by the shepherds [des montagnes] of the Cévennes to avoid the big fires of the summer, explains the head of communication for the firefighters of the Gard, Éric Agrinier. The area should be studied to determine if it is suitable for using this method. […] We light counter-fires, which will come in opposition to the main fire and limit the possibilities of propagation, since there is nothing left to burn.
According to Lieutenant-Colonel Agrinier, “you have to calculate your blow carefully”, but it is a technique which makes it possible “to save a lot of human and material resources”, since a few well-trained firefighters are enough to control kilometers of fire front.
Humility and cooperation
The Gardois will come, “very humbly”, to lend a hand to SOPFEU with their expertise, where the situation allows.
In a press release published in the morning, we learned that the seven specialists who are used to helping fellow Europeans would take part in “tactical fire operations, forestry and treatment of the edges”.
- Listen to the Know It All segment in 24 minutes with Alexandre Moranville-Ouellet on QUB radio:
“Reinforcements are coming” for real
Gard firefighters and the rest of the contingent of sappers promised by French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive late Thursday afternoon at Jean-Lesage airport in Quebec.
A hundred firefighters accompanied by two television crews should thus land on Quebec soil. They will be welcomed by the French consul, Frédéric Sanchez, and should sleep at the Valcartier base, before being deployed on Friday.
President Macron had indicated on Sunday that a hundred firefighters were preparing “to go and fight the flames alongside their Quebec comrades”.
“Experts are also mobilized. Canadian friends, reinforcements are coming,” he wrote in a message posted on Twitter.
The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, then thanked him before specifying a few days later that American firefighters would also be on their way to help fight the forest fires raging in the country.
– With the collaboration of Agence QMI and TVA Nouvelles
Air Quality Index (AQI)
What is the air quality index in your city and what are the health recommendations derived from it?
Air Quality Index (AQI US)
101-150
sensitive people
AQI: GOOD
Great day to be active outdoors.
AQI: MODERATE
Some people may be particularly sensitive to fine particle pollution
Particularly sensitive people: Consider reducing the duration and intensity of outdoor activities. Pay attention to symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. These are signs to slow down.
All the others : Great day to be active outdoors.
AQI: BAD for
sensitive people
Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, the elderly, children and adolescents, minority populations and outdoor workers.
Sensitive groups: Reduce the duration and intensity of outdoor activities. It’s okay to be active outside, but take more breaks. Pay attention to symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.
People with heart disease: Symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual tiredness may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare professional.
AQI: BAD
for everyone
Sensitive people: Avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities. Consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors.*
All the others : Reduce the duration and intensity of activities. Take more breaks from outdoor activities.
*Note: If you don’t have an air conditioner, staying indoors with the windows closed can be dangerous in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go to a place with air conditioning or check with your municipality to see if cooling centers are available in your community.
AQI: VERY BAD
Sensitive people: Avoid all physical activity outdoors. Postpone it to a time when the air quality is better or move activities indoors.*
All the others : Avoid prolonged or strenuous activities. Consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors.*
*Note: If you don’t have an air conditioner, staying indoors with the windows closed can be dangerous in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go to a place with air conditioning or check with your municipality to see if cooling centers are available in your community.
AQI: CRITICAL
All the others : Avoid all physical activity outdoors.
Sensitive people: Stay indoors and maintain a reduced activity level. Follow tips for keeping particulate levels low indoors.*
*Note: If you don’t have an air conditioner, staying indoors with the windows closed can be dangerous in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go to a place with air conditioning or check with your municipality to see if cooling centers are available in your community.