The year 2022 and its summer period had been marked by numerous forest fires. This year 2023 should be calmer and better managed. Since January 1, 2023, nearly 21,000 hectares have burned compared to 72,000 last year. Suffice to say that the concerns remain and take on even more importance.
In order to better prevent, the executive had taken as a resolution the creation of a weather forecast dedicated to forest fires, as announced on October 28, during a speech at the Elysée. The launch of the card coincides with Emmanuel Macron’s trip to the Gard, this Friday, June 2. On the sidelines of this visit, the President of the Republic therefore sets his sights on the theme of preparing for the fight against fires for this summer. Suffice to say that this move is timely.
The initiative highlights the new risks that France must face today. The first forecasts, published this morning by Météo France, launch this new system, widely relayed in the media and television sphere. The map will be published daily on the site between June and the end of September, like what is already available for beach weather and marine weather.
This project requires “precise mapping work” in order to highlight the so-called “vulnerable” areas and to offer “meteorological monitoring”, according to France info. As far as measurements are concerned, the degree of risk is indicated by a color scale which goes from green to red, and is established “from observations and forecasts of several meteorological parameters (temperature, rain, wind strength , air humidity) and the dryness of the vegetation”.
The implementation of aid intended for the emergency services and the departmental fire services is also planned. An envelope of 150 million euros, for example, provides for the increase in the number of Canadair from 12 to 16, by 2027, as the president explained last October.
Discover in our slideshow below, the 14 departments affected by this first “forest fire” weather forecast, according to BFMTV.
