Smoke bombs above the city, crisis management exercise… Why the Foix tunnel will be closed Monday evening

This Monday, November 25, from 9 p.m. to midnight, a crisis management exercise will take place in the Ville de Foix tunnel, in Ariège. Consequently, the tunnel will be closed in both directions of traffic from 8:30 p.m., with the usual diversion in place.

“For the realism of the exercise, smoke bombs emitting orange smoke will be used, and several emergency vehicles from the SDIS of Ariège (Departmental Fire and Rescue Service) as well as the national police will be on site,” specifies the Ariège prefecture. Before concluding: “It is strictly forbidden to approach the tunnel entrances without authorization. Please avoid the area so as not to interfere with the smooth running of operations.”

“There is a little delay on these subjects in France”

Last year, the prefecture piloted five major exercises at the departmental level and two at the national level: simulation of the appearance of swine fever, simulation of a terrorist attack, the Novi exercise, which aimed to simulate a terrorist attack at the Prehistory Park in Tarascon-sur-Ariège on September 27, 2023, winter viability exercise linked to the principality of Andorra… “There is a little delay on these subjects in France compared to certain European neighbors who have developed very well in crisis management. There is a need to raise awareness of good behavior. This is long-term work,” explained the prefecture. of Ariège at the start of the year.

As a reminder, the major risks in Ariège are mainly natural risks linked to the mountains: falling stone blocks, snow/ice as on the night of February 26 to 27, 2023 in L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre when 115 cars remained blocked on the RN 320. Also present, the risks linked to flooding as in Saverdun in May 2023 or even health risks (epizootic, heatwave).