To Nîmes, the operation Gaffofeu is raising public awareness of the risks of forest fires this Saturday, 25 May. The event, organised by the Gard Prefecture, took place on the forecourt of the arena. Fire prevention organisations came together to provide information on the correct measures to take.
Developing a risk culture
Pascale Venturini, Deputy Mayor for the Environment in Nîmes, emphasised the importance of prevention. “Wildfires are not confined to rural areas,” she told "Midi Libre". In Nîmes, particularly in neighbourhoods such as Courbessac, there is a risk. Visitors have been made aware of their legal obligations, such as clearing undergrowth, to prevent the spread of fires.
The workshops run by public sector and voluntary sector partners helped participants understand how fire spreads depending on the vegetation. This awareness-raising initiative aims to instil a culture of fire risk awareness, which is essential for safety.
A successful tour of the north of the Gard
Before Nîmes, Gaffofeu stopped off at La Grand Combe and Alès, raising awareness amongst 900 young people. In La Grand Combe, children from the day camps took part in the workshops. In Alès, secondary school pupils and young adults from the Epide learnt the correct procedures to follow in the event of a fire. Gaffofeu has thus achieved its aim of raising awareness of the risks of forest fires.