Fire outbreak in Mayotte

Since Saturday, the number of fires has increased in Mayotte, mobilizing significant rescue resources. According to an initial assessment by the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS), approximately 150 hectares of vegetation have been consumed by fire over three days. On Monday, November 2, six fires were still ongoing by the end of the afternoon. In response to this situation, Naturalistes is calling for emergency measures to end the fires.

Smoke covers the south of the island

Since Saturday, the south of the island has been enveloped in a veil of white smoke. "We are dealing with a significant series of fire ignitions," notes Colonel Patrick Clerc, director of the SDIS, contacted late afternoon on Monday. On Saturday, firefighters intervened on eleven natural area fires, nine of which had to be managed simultaneously. Thirteen fires were recorded on Sunday and fourteen on Monday, at the time of our exchange. Six were still ongoing, including in Bouéni, Chirongui, Dembéni, and Bandrélé.

Vegetation burned over three days

The preliminary assessment indicates approximately 150 hectares of vegetation burned over three days. More than 50 hectares had already been affected on Saturday. On the Mount Bénara alone, fires are said to have destroyed between 50 and 60 hectares. "We extinguished the fire on which we had been working since Saturday morning on Monday morning, but people have reignited a fire in the other valley," laments Patrick Clerc.

Fires impact both shrubland and forest

The fires have mainly affected shrubland areas, but also forested areas. In Chirongui, a dozen residents were placed in safety as a precaution on Monday morning. However, firefighters managed to stop the flames' progress before they reached the homes. In Bouéni, municipal police and gendarmes conducted door-to-door visits on Sunday to warn residents of a possible evacuation, which ultimately was not necessary.

Increased firefighting capacity

To address this situation, the SDIS has increased its daily staff by about twenty volunteer firefighters, raising its operational capacity from approximately 70 to 90 personnel. Up to 60 firefighters were mobilized simultaneously on the fires, with a dozen vehicles, a drone team, and a water-bombing helicopter.

Human origin of fires is clear

For the director of the SDIS, the human origin of these fires is hardly in doubt. "There was no thunderstorm, there is no electricity in the area. Apart from human origin, there are no other explanations," he states. Fire ignitions are indeed frequently occurring near already cultivated plots.

Environmental conditions worsen the spread

The particularly dry vegetation, debris left by the cyclone Chido, and gusts of wind are facilitating the spread of fires. "When you set fires under these conditions, you know it will spread and people do it anyway," complains Patrick Clerc. "The act of setting fires is not criminal, but almost."

Call for emergency measures

In response to this situation, the association Les Naturalistes is requesting an emergency prefectural decree banning all vegetation fires until the end of December. The association is also requesting the mobilization of municipal and intercommunal police, the French Office for Biodiversity, and the gendarmerie to identify and prosecute those responsible. The association finally proposes organizing a round table bringing together the concerned stakeholders to develop alternatives to burning.

Authorities urge caution

On their part, the SDIS and the prefecture are multiplying calls for vigilance, reminding that these fires endanger residents and responders, while destroying already fragile vegetation. Any fire outbreak must be reported to 18 or 112.