French authorities have launched an emergency response to major wildfires that have caused more damage in the country this year than at any time since World War Two, leading to hundreds of arrests across the nation.
The blazes, notably concentrated in the Gironde region in late July, have scorched more than 300,000 acres this summer, prompting widespread questions about their origins and the government's preparedness.
While a major driver for the increased intensity of wildfires is the changing climate, resulting from humanity's burning of fossil fuels and rising temperatures, records indicate that nine out of 10 French wildfires are started by humans. This has led the government in Paris to focus on attributing blame, even as it faces accusations of being underprepared for the scale of the infernos.
The interior ministry has announced 420 arrests of individuals alleged to have either deliberately or accidentally started fires. Among those arrested are 166 minors.
Judicial action has followed in several cases. A 23-year-old man has been accused of deliberately starting 10 fires over five days in the south-eastern Var area last month. If convicted, he faces a potential 15-year prison sentence and a €150,000 (£128,000) fine.
Other individuals have faced immediate sentencing. A man in the Raon-L'Étape forest in the Vosges region received a three-year jail term for starting three recent fires. The local newspaper, L'Est Républicain, noted that only a few square metres of vegetation had gone up in smoke in that instance.
However, some prosecutions have been perceived as disproportionate. Reports indicate that a homeless man and an individual with severe autism have been handed jail terms for discarding cigarette butts.
Muriel Gestas, a lawyer who has represented several people accused of arson, including two firefighters, expressed surprise at the extent of the arrests. "I was amazed at the number of arrests, it feels excessive," she stated, adding her doubt that many would lead to a conviction.
The newspaper Le Monde has also voiced skepticism, questioning the thoroughness of police examinations given the short timeframe. It argues that the authorities' silence on specific details, such as the charges involving intent and how current numbers compare with past seasons, prevents a meaningful comparison with previous years.
Conversely, Bordeaux prosecutor Renaud Gaudeul told Le Monde that a firm approach was warranted by the current circumstances. The newspaper quoted him as saying, "The conditions for a charge of endangering lives are met for those who throw a cigarette butt or light a barbecue in wooded areas. It only takes a tiny spark for it to start."
Investigating the precise origin of a fire often presents significant challenges. Eric Dufayet, an officer who investigates fires, explained the process. Once a fire is extinguished, his initial task involves mapping its outline along the edge of the burnt vegetation and then tracing it back to its point of origin. If the wind has been consistent, the outline frequently forms a "V" shape, allowing his team to work backwards along the path the flames took.
"In periods of drought such as this one, all you need is a simple lighter," Mr Dufayet noted. He added that in cases of deliberate arson, an individual might use multiple devices, which could increase the chances of finding a DNA or fingerprint sample.
Experts generally believe that deliberate arson accounts for only a small fraction of wildfires. Most are thought to be accidental, with potential sparks originating from sources such as construction work, faulty electrical equipment, discarded cigarette butts, and barbecues.
Regarding cigarettes, Mr Dufayet highlighted the "30" rule. He explained that for a fire to start, conditions typically require a temperature of at least 30C (86F), a maximum of 30% humidity, wind speeds of less than 30km/h (19mph), and at least 30% of the cigarette remaining unburnt. In the current drought conditions, he said, a fire can spread easily and rapidly even more so.
Professor Michel Lejoyeux, a professor of psychiatry and addictive behaviour at Paris 7 University, categorises individuals who start fires into three groups: the careless, those who stand to benefit (e.g., through an insurance payout), and pyromaniacs. He described pyromaniacs as those who "don't get money, have no spirit of revenge, have no utility of the fire, but he likes the fire." However, pyromania is a rare psychiatric disorder that Professor Lejoyeux notes is very difficult to diagnose and accounts for few arson convictions.
Lawyer Muriel Gestas observed that some firefighters alleged to have started fires may have been motivated by a desire to be seen as saviours. For others, particularly volunteers who earn tax-free overtime, a financial motive may be a factor.
Beyond the concerns surrounding official approaches to prosecuting suspects, broader anxieties about wildfires persist. Forecasts indicate that France is anticipating its next heatwave within days.
President Emmanuel Macron described the fires as "completely unprecedented." This week, he stated that criticism should not be the immediate priority. "We will have to replant and rebuild a different kind of forest because we must adapt to the structural conditions of climate change," he said, insisting, "The time for reviewing lessons learned will come. In the meantime, the country must remain united."
Nevertheless, the extensive damage inflicted by these fires on the environment, hundreds of homes, the tourism sector, local businesses, and air quality has left the French public with numerous unresolved questions.
