Forest fires affected unusual regions this summer: Brittany, Pays de la Loire. In Nord-Pas-de-Calais, it is mainly stubble fires that mobilize firefighters every summer, but we also expect to see fires affect the forests. Captain Joachim Correa of Sdis du Nord (departmental fire and rescue service) specializes in fire risk:
We thought we had fifteen years ahead of us to prepare, we realize that there is a real acceleration and we will be touched.
The Sdis has purchased since 2019 three forest fire tank trucks (CCF), distributed throughout the department, the largest of which, based at the Cambrai rescue center, can transport 9,000 liters of water, project this water about fifteen meters thanks to two lances installed on the roof of this imposing vehicle. The truck also has a self-protection, i.e. trickles of water which flows along the cabin and the tires to lower the temperature if the vehicle has to cross or approach a blaze.
This vehicle cost €450,000 but it was adapted to the region and can be used year-round on other jobs like factory or truck lights on the highway.
Two massifs closely monitored in the North
In the Nord department, two massifs are now closely monitored by firefighters: the forest of Saint Amand-Wallers-Raismes and the forest of Mormal. “There is lush vegetation in the forest of Mormal so there is little chance that it will burn unless there is a voluntary gestureexplains Captain Correa. In the forest of Raismes-Saint Amand, we have drier vegetation through ferns and also maritime pine planted 10 years ago. Potentially, we could see within 10 years flames of more than 30 meters as we have seen in Gironde”, adds the fireman. The Sdis of Hauts-de-France who have all already planned plans to accommodate water bomber planes if necessary.