The effectiveness of the response relies on aerial resources
Faced with wildfires, the Région Sud strengthens its strategy in cooperation with the État and the Départements.
Following the recent fires that affected the territory, the Région Sud, through its vice-president François de Canson, announced a significant reinforcement of its firefighting and support resources.
Beyond emergency measures, a new doctrine of action, based on unprecedented institutional cooperation, is being put forward as the main driver of performance for the future.
The Région has already invested €40 million in firefighting over the last ten years. Aware that the threat is evolving, the regional executive is intensifying its actions.
Today, we realize that additional efforts are still needed. To respond to the emergency, a €5 million fund is being reactivated to compensate victims as quickly as possible. In parallel, an additional fund will be allocated to help the Services Départementaux d'Incendie et de Secours (SDIS). We are the only région of France to provide financial resources to the SDIS
The aerial strategy, a major focus
The effectiveness of the response relies largely on aerial resources. The €2.6 million investment in the pélicandrome of Hyères has already proven its relevance, allowing Dash aircraft to intervene quickly on fires, notably on the La Londe-les-Maures front and to carry out preventive drops on the Grand Bessillon massif.
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Looking to the future, the Région is committing to a strategic project in Istres, in partnership with the État, for an amount of €7 million. The goal is to support the establishment of the company Hynaero to develop a sovereign water bomber industry: "In a few years, we must have French water bombers at our disposal with a production chain that we can completely control."
The response is not limited to firefighting. The Région continues its efforts to regenerate forest massifs through the Respira fund, endowed with €4 million. The example of Gonfaron, where fascine techniques allowed for effective plant recovery, will serve as a model for recently affected areas like the Grand Bessillon.
We are at their disposal, we bring our competence, we bring our know-how, and we bring our financial resources
A new institutional synergy
For François de Canson, the real break from past crises, such as the severe fires in La Londe-les-Maures and Bormes-les-Mimosas, lies in the alignment of public actors.
Today, we will make significant progress because we have the État by our side. This close collaboration is the key factor for success. Today, we have a front between the État, the département, and the région, we bring forward joint cases, we have the will to succeed, that is what really makes the difference
Photo Philippe OLIVIER.