The holidays begin in Reunion. This period is an opportunity for hiking enthusiasts to (re)discover the trails of Reunion Island and for picnickers to take advantage of the reception areas in the forest. However, the National Forestry Office would like to remind you of some tips for enjoying safely, avoiding fires and protecting our biodiversity (Photo: www.imazpress.com)
During the long school holidays, hiking trails and forest reception areas are even more frequented by families, sports enthusiasts, and tourists.
In order to guarantee safety, it is important to remember some tips to make the most of your outing in nature and preserve the environment.
– Let's avoid fires –
In the forest, it is forbidden to light a fire outside of designated fire places, particularly during the dry season. Even in these dedicated spaces, it is requested to provide a water reserve near the fireplaces and to water the embers before leaving.
If some of the fires are arson, half of the time these fires are accidental. Cigarette butts, barbecues, burning of waste…Fires take several forms.
A situation which risks getting worse, with droughts becoming more and more common.
In addition to these brush or cane field fires, you should know that Reunion is a territory exposed to forest fires since 45% (or approximately 120,000 ha) of the island is covered by forest.
Read also – Serial fires in Reunion: pyromania, malice and recklessness at the origin of the blazes
Voluntary or involuntary, the ONF would like to remind you that nine out of ten fires are of human origin. Negligence, agricultural activity or a simple cigarette butt thrown out of the car window or on the ground, the result is the same: the fire ravages thousands of hectares of forest, destroying fauna, flora, and homes in its path, the space of a few days.
As a reminder, according to article R-163-2 of the forest code, “lighting a fire less than 200m from a wooded area is punishable by a fine of 135 euros.
“Any intentional or involuntary fire is punishable by heavy fines and prison sentences.
For more information, we invite you to consult the information leaflet via this link.
– Preserve natural spaces
The ONF removes trash cans in the forest because they attract rats which proliferate but also stray dogs which can constitute a danger for picnickers.
Picnickers and other users of forest reception areas are therefore asked to always collect food waste, even any plant waste. In fact, the latter encourage the proliferation of invasive plants.
Furthermore, in Reunion, where fauna and flora mingle, intruders – invasive species – imported, introduced by humans, disrupt this balance and the biodiversity of our island.
41% of the flora is threatened in Reunion, and most of it is due to invasions.
Read also – Fight against invasive species: a new site to report invaders
– Good actions to adopt before going hiking:
– Learn about the closed trails on the ONF website and the particularities of the route (distance, elevation changes, technical passages),
– Consult the day's weather and its evolution on the méteofrance.re website,
– Equip yourself well (enough water, snacks, suitable clothing and shoes, headlamp, mosquito repellent, first aid kit, charged phone),
– Reserve overnight stays and meals in advance,
– Do not separate and inform those around you of your itinerary.
Note that in 2023, 773 interventions were carried out by the PGHM (High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon of Sainte-Marie) to rescue hikers.
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ONF, Forests, Security, Fire, Biodiversity
