Faced with the threat of wildfires, the prefecture has banned access to most of the Bas-Rhin forests since Saturday, a first in the eastern French department. “In order to reduce the risk of fires, the Prefect of Bas-Rhine has decided to ban (…) access to forests and woodlands.Of the 155 municipalities in this section, it is determined that the measure is in effect until the afternoon of Tuesday, August 16.
It is impossible for drivers, cyclists or hikers to travel by car or even on foot on forest tracks, footpaths or other country roads. The same ban for hunters and fishermen. The areas concerned by the decree, in particular, concern the east of the department, in its Vosges part, as well as the Hagenau forest, further north. Only those residents and establishments open to the public whose access requires passing through these masses are exempt from these restrictions.
A first
It is a measure aimed at preventing the outbreak of fire.firstIn this department of Grand Est, the prefecture is mentioned. Access to the forests was banned only after the great storm of 1999 and during the first detention in March 2020, note the latest news from Alsace. “It is an extreme attitude in an exceptional situation.– emphasizes Pierre Grandadam, president of the forest communities of Alsace, who finds a way.appropriate“.
“Closing the forest is very difficult to enforce, we do it only as a last resort, but everything is dry there, the slightest gesture can lead to a fire, I have never seen it.“says Mr. Grandfather, 74 years old. Violators risk a 135-euro fine, according to the prefecture, and police can carry out checks as part of their regular duty.
As of August 3, Prefect Josian Chevalier had banned fireworks, bonfires and barbecues. “We pray now for the rain to comeadds Mr. Grandpa. The Météo France website is predicting thunderstorms in the department next week.
Source: Le Figaro
