Xavier Bartet: "The repetition of fires causes the forest to lose its ability to renew itself naturally"

The episodes of extreme drought and heat waves observed this summer have resulted in forest areas becoming fertile ground for the spread of fires.

LE FIGARO.- To what extent is a forest conducive to fire outbreaks?

Xavier BARTET.-

The flammability of a forest is largely linked to the state of drought of its vegetation.

The drier the plants, the faster they catch fire.

Repeated heat waves and droughts favor this.

There is a second determining factor which is the presence of a low plant stratum.

Composed of ferns, grasses, but also shrubs, this low vegetation is conducive to the start of fires, their extension to the treetops, then their spread.

Of course, weather conditions, and in particular high winds, are very important triggers.

See also

After a fire, how does the vegetation react?

Fires are not necessarily phenomena that will destroy forests...

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