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Fires in 2022: the ground is still burning in certain areas of Gironde
Fires in 2022: the ground is still burning in certain areas of Gironde – (France 2)
In 2022, fires ravaged French forests, particularly in Gironde. In places, underground fires are still there, a year and a half later.
At the start of winter, the ground is waterlogged in Hostens (Gironde). Where residents used to walk, prohibition signs now block the passages. However, water is not a risk here. The threat comes from there, from the burning earth. 75 degrees, and the ground is sagging a little more every day. “We can measure the surface temperature, and we can see that there are hot spots up to 85 degrees.”indicates Sébastien Fourcade, responsible for the management of sensitive natural areas at the Gironde Departmental Council.
“Zombie fires”
Because of the danger, monitoring is also done every week using a drone which records the temperature. Measurements carried out for almost a year and a half: “It’s been burning since 2022. We first had a surface fire with the trees. And the intensity of the fire went into the ground.” Persistent underground fires nicknamed “zombie fires”. They burn up in an old mine. These fumes could also have consequences on the climate.
