Following the death of two professional firefighters responding on Tuesday in Gironde, the public prosecutor in Bordeaux announced on Wednesday July 22 a toughening of criminal proceedings against the use of fire in a forest environment, and in particular the throwing of cigarette butts.
In a press release, prosecutor Renaud Gaudeul indicates that the use of fire in a forest environment in the departments of Landes, Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne, where it is prohibited, will now be punishable by one year of imprisonment and a fine of 15,000 euros, in that it endangers the lives of others. Failure to comply with this ban is usually punishable by a type 4 fine, i.e. 135 euros.
“In view of the current situation” in Gironde, where bereaved firefighters are fighting other fires on Wednesday, one of which is particularly virulent to the north of the Arcachon basin, “the clearly deliberate violation of the ban on the use of fire in a forest environment exposes others, and in particular (but not only) fire fighters, to an immediate risk of death or injury likely to lead to mutilation or permanent disability,” underlines the magistrate.
Police custody possible
In a department facing a “severe episode of forest fires”, one of which cost the lives of two firefighters on Tuesday near Bordeaux-Mérignac airport, this toughening of sanctions targets more particularly the throwing of cigarette butts, which is still “much too frequent”, deplores the prosecutor.
He therefore asked police officers to increase checks and “take into custody any person caught in action”. “When this throwing was committed from a vehicle, I gave instructions to have the said vehicle placed under seal,” specifies Renaud Gaudeul.
This action will last “as long as the situation remains critical in terms of fire risk”, concludes the magistrate, without commenting on the origin of Tuesday’s fatal fire, nor those underway on Wednesday.
