Fires in Forests: Twenty-five Departments in the West and Southwest Labeled Orange on Monday for Elevated Risk of Fire due to High Hazard Conditions
High Forest Fire Risk in France: Authorities Take Action
A significant number of French prefectures have decided to restrict access to certain massifs due to the high forest fire risk in 17 departments for Tuesday, August 17th, 2020. This decision comes as a result of a severe heatwave and prolonged dry spells that have increased the fire risk dramatically, according to Meteo-France.
The affected departments include Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Ardeche, Aude, Aveyron, Bouches-du-Rhoone, Charente, Charente-Maritime, Deux-Severes, Dordogne, Drome, Gard, Gers, Gironde, Haute-Garonne, Herault, Indre, Landes, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Maine-et-Loire, Tarn-et-Garonne, Var, Vaucluse, Vendee, and Vienne.
On August 10th, 2020, Meteo-France issued a bulletin, classifying 25 departments in the West and South-West of France as orange for high forest fire risk on August 11th, 2020.
One of the most affected areas was Aude, where a massive wildfire broke out on August 5th, eventually consuming over 16,000 hectares. The wildfire was driven by unprecedented dry and warming conditions, causing vegetation to become extremely dry and more flammable.
The Fire Weather Index (FWI) anomaly map for early to mid-August forecasted extreme to very extreme fire risk conditions across most of France. By August 13, the total burnt area in the EU reached 439,568 hectares, well above the 19-year average, reflecting the severity of the wildfire season.
To combat the Aude wildfire and prevent its spread, authorities deployed nearly 2,100 firefighters, 500 vehicles, Canadair aircraft, and helicopters. They also established 17 temporary accommodation centers for displaced residents, capable of housing nearly 1,800 people. Residents in affected areas were advised to remain indoors unless evacuation orders were given by firefighters.
On high alert days like August 11th, Météo-France issued red alerts for 12 departments, allowing local authorities to cancel outdoor events, close public spaces, and adjust school and summer camp schedules to reduce fire risk and protect public health. Social media and news indicated community responses such as closing down streets, covering windows to reflect heat, and urging people to stay indoors or seek shade.
National and local authorities continue to monitor fire perimeters carefully, with firefighters keeping watch to manage any remaining hotspots. For Tuesday, August 17th, 2020, 17 departments are classified as orange for high forest fire risk: Var, Bouches-du-Rhône, Vaucluse, Drôme, Ardèche, Gard, Hérault, Aude, Ariège, Deux-Sèvres, Maine-et-Loire, Indre-et-Loire, Indre, Vienne, Cher, and Allier.
The upcoming weather conditions in France, particularly in environmental-science fields, are of grave concern due to the high forest fire risk. This risk is exacerbated by the dry weather and heatwave, as evident in French departments like Aude, where recently, a wildfire of significant size occurred.
