The Bordeaux prosecutor's office has launched a preliminary investigation into the actions of businessman Benoît Bartherotte, who created a firebreak in a forested area. This probe began in late August after the National Forestry Office (ONF) submitted a report alleging unauthorized clearing of public forest or woodland. The report indicates that the clearing was done without proper authorization, and it was accompanied by a complaint from the anti-corruption organization AC !!, which claims the project was initiated without official approval. The firebreak was created on July 23, just one day after a massive wildfire burned through 42,000 hectares of land over several days. Bartherotte publicly took the initiative to cut down pine trees along a strip several hundred meters wide to create a barrier meant to stop the spread of fire. Part of this work was carried out on land in the commune of Lège-Cap-Ferret and on ONF property. However, the project was temporarily halted on July 26 at the request of the local town hall. It was later resumed after discussions with the authorities, according to reports. AC !! has accused Bartherotte of bypassing regulations and using pressure tactics to secure authorization for his work. The association claims that the businessman acted without proper oversight and manipulated the process to get his project approved. These allegations have led to the ongoing investigation by the prosecutor's office, which is examining the legality and circumstances surrounding the firebreak's creation. In response, Bartherotte has plans to file a complaint against those he believes endangered others by not maintaining an existing firebreak in Cap Ferret. He argues that the lack of a maintained firebreak and an isolation buffer between the village and the forest posed a significant risk. He claims his actions were necessary to prevent the fire from reaching the village of Lège-Cap-Ferret and the surrounding peninsula, where tens of thousands of people were evacuated.