Large fuel cuts as implemented by the French Mediterranean network: to what extent can they be replicated in the Landes of gascony forest?

Abstract

The major fires of summer 2022 in the Landes de Gascogne highlighted the vulnerability of the forest to severe fires linked to extreme weather conditions. As these large-scale events are set to become more frequent in the coming decades, many local stakeholders, including the fire and rescue services (Service départemental d’incendie et de secours – SDIS), are calling for a review of the land-use planning strategy in the Landes de Gascogne. One emerging solution, championed by forest fire risk professionals, would be to establish a network of large fuel discontinuities, forming a strategic barrier within the forest. This idea has been the subject of in-depth studies as part of the FIRE-RES project. Particularly favoured by members of the Living Laboratory of Nouvelle-Aquitaine – comprising both practitioners and researchers – it is seen as an essential solution for improving the Landes forest’s fire prevention strategy. Feedback from the Fuel Break Network (RCC), as well as the modelling work undertaken as part of the FIRE-RES project, also supports the relevance of a network of large fuel interruptions. To be truly effective, however, it must be regarded as an additional support for fire prevention infrastructures (DFCI) and not as a stand-alone method sufficient in itself. The choice of location for large fuel interruptions must also be strategic and incorporate a regional perspective. Given the economic challenges, the wide range of stakeholders to be involved and the lack of regulatory tools at the appropriate level, the implementation of a strategy inspired by the RCC’s work in Nouvelle-Aquitaine faces obstacles that will need to be overcome.