Fires in the Monts d’Arrée: “Being a war ahead against fire” – One year after the fires, how the Monts d’Arrée are preparing for summer

Two forest fire tankers (CCF) will be acquired, bringing the CCF fleet to 43.

A water bomber helicopter, of the Squirrel type, will be rented for the months of July and August. Capable of carrying 1,000 liters of water, it will be based in Quimper. “In 15 minutes, he can be anywhere in the department. It can restock in seven minutes. It will prevent small fires from becoming big fires, ”underlines Maël de Calan, president of the departmental council.

Aerial reconnaissance assets are also planned. In periods of extreme risk, an aircraft, “Horus 29” will patrol between late morning and late afternoon to spot fires earlier. At the same time, vehicles will be prepositioned in high-risk sectors. “If we save several minutes, we change the story,” insists Maël de Calan.

The training of firefighters in Finistère (487 professionals and 2,258 volunteers) has been increased. Two hundred of them were trained in the FDF specialty (forest fires), i.e. 57% more than in 2022.

How to work with farmers ? What tactic? Protocols have begun to be established. Six farmers will be referents per territory. An agreement with the Chamber of Agriculture will be signed on June 5. The departmental council and the prefecture are now awaiting the conclusions of the National Forestry Office, at the end of June, to “prioritize” their actions.