Valais faces a high risk of forest fires. The maximum alert now extends to several regions of the canton, including that of the very touristy Zermatt. Firefighters intensify their prevention patrols and call for caution.
In the Bois de Finges, the dryness is felt. With very little humidity in the earth, it does not take much for a fire to declare. In the largest pine forest in Europe, the situation is worrying.
“She has been hanging on in recent days with this heat wave that has settled, humidity decreases and a few episodes of wind,” said RTS Lucien Cottier, commander of firefighters from the Sierre region on Thursday.
All factors are therefore united to increase the risk. And this is not the only region concerned: climatic conditions led the canton on Thursday to Strengthen the degree of alert and update areas at risk. Seven regions are now identified as presenting a “strong danger” and six others a “very strong danger” of fire. Forest lights are prohibited.
Despite the ban signs, traces of recent grills can be observed in the forest. Valais firefighters therefore intensified their patrols. They bet above all on prevention, recalling that even the portable grills are prohibited, the fiery matches and the barbecue flames that can cause fires.
No change in sight
The danger of fire should last a while, significant precipitation has not been announced. “By significant precipitation, we mean quantities of water of 30 liters per m2, which corresponds to two or three days of intense rain at least with us”, specifies Jean-Marie Putallaz, of the Valais service of forests. “It is not planned in the coming days. Certainly, with temperatures, the risk of fire will continue to increase,” adds the forest engineer.
The rain following the thunderstorms that occurred Thursday evening in various regions of Valais should therefore not change the situation. A general ban on fire across the whole cantonal territory could be decided in the coming days.
TV subject: Cédric Jordan
Web adaptation: Emilie Délétroz