Faced with a summer that promises to be at very high risk in terms of forest fires, the firefighters of Sainte-Maxime, in the Var, have received new equipment. In the forests, it is already time to clear brush to create firebreaks.
In the courtyard of the Sainte-Maxime fire station (Var), the firefighters discover their new truck. It is a vehicle specially adapted for forest fires. It holds 4,000 liters of water with and cannon on the roof. The device is being tested this year. “It may avoid getting out of the vehicle and putting yourself in danger in the face of a front of flames”explains Sébastien, a professional firefighter.
The forest maintained to limit the dangers
All firefighters will be trained in the next 15 days. The objective is to be able to use this machine as quickly as possible. “A fire can break out, even in April”says Maxime Guidez, head of the Sainte-Maxime fire department. The risk of fire is visible to the naked eye, as in the sector of the Estérel massif (Var), along the motorway. Here, a cork oak did not resist the drought. On the ground, the vegetation is in great pain. The forest is maintained to limit the danger. The agents of the National Forestry Office are clearing brush. They create firewalls. Everything is done preventively to face a summer that promises to be very high risk.
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