In recent weeks, the fire season has started in the north of New Caledonia. Ground teams are already in high demand due to drought and powerful winds. Lack of resources, fatigue, in September, firefighters and civil security were on all fronts.
“Everywhere is dry. The rain doesn’t seem to want to show itself.” 800 hectares went up in smoke between Kaala-Gomen and Koumac, more than 1,000 between Poum and Arama, 700 hectares on the Pouembo side.
And every year, forest fires move closer to homes. In this isolated valley in the Poum region, we no longer count them. The cause, very often, is poorly controlled burning according to Charly Hoxy, a resident of a housing estate in the town. “Instead of staying by the fire, they leave it and go do something else. When he leaves, we can’t do anything.”
Despite the threat, it is impossible for Charly to live anywhere other than on his land. “If you ever leave and leave your houses, what are you going to do when the fire comes? We are here to secure the houses, we help each other. We help others, those who are all alone.”
Master Corporal Franck Dahot is the only firefighter in Poum. “We made firewalls to limit the damage a little. With the lack of material and human resources, we anticipate this way.”
Tracks traced by construction equipment are, for the moment, the only way to fight the fire. Without his truck, requisitioned in Nouméa since May 13, the firefighter uses his resources to preserve the 500 km2 of niaoulis savannah of which he is the guardian.
We put in place firebreaks, we clean around homes. This allows us to anticipate and protect homes.
Franck Dahot, Poum fire chief
Despite his efforts, the fires multiplied, the flames fanned by the wind bypassed the hill and the firebreak and threatened homes.
As reinforcement, as close as possible to the flames, the men of Civil Security. Warrant officer Yvannick Vakié directs operations. “We have a lot of difficulties because our trucks do not pass on many tracks. It’s painstaking work. We have to continue to scrape and work according to objectives. Now we let the fire evolve and we protect the homes and we try to let the fire come to the main tracks.”
We have a lot of difficulties because our trucks do not pass on many tracks.
Yvannick Vakié, head of Koné Civil Security
The teams are supported by a helicopter. Almost blindly in the thick fog, it drops 800 liters of water each time it passes and relieves the work of the fire fighters on the ground. You must also remain vigilant with safety instructions. “Fatigue is present, we must not have an accident”, underlines Yvannick Vakié.
The impact of fire is sometimes irreversible for the unique biodiversity of New Caledonia. Depleted soils will take years to regenerate. Civil security men and firefighters try, at the risk of their lives, to preserve what can be preserved. Already nearly 3,000 hectares have burned while the dry season is only just beginning.
Related News :