Préfecture maritime regulates water surfaces for fire-fighting aircraft
As part of measures to step up fire-fighting, the Atlantic Maritime Prefecture has issued a new order in 2023 regulating the use of water bodies by fire-fighting aircraft.
This decree aims to optimize the efficiency of air operations, by defining the appropriate zones for water refueling of water bomber aircraft. It also lays down strict rules to guarantee the safety of aircraft and ground crews.
Under the new provisions, only designated and authorized bodies of water can be used by fire-fighting aircraft. These bodies of water must meet certain precise criteria, such as being deep enough to fill the aircraft's fuel tanks.
Why introduce new scooping lanes?
2022 was a particularly intense year for forest fire fighting. In addition to the southern areas regularly affected by the phenomenon, Anjou, Sarthe, the Monts d'Arrée and the Brocéliande forest suffered significant damage.
The use of Canadairs in the northern half of the territory will become more and more frequent. It is therefore necessary to introduce new measures so that boaters and water bombers can cohabit.
Where are these scooping lanes located?
6 départements are affected by these new measures:
- Côtes d'Armor (22) : Plouha, Lannion and Saint-Brieuc bays
- Finistère (29): Brest bay and Douarnenez bay
- Morbihan (56): Gâvres, Baie de Quiberon, Golfe du Morbihan, mouth of the Vilaine river
- Charente-Maritime (17): La Rochelle and Ile d'Oléron (Trousses roadstead)
- Gironde (33) : Banc d'Arguin
- Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64) : Saint-Jean-de-Luz
How do you know when a Canadair is about to bail out?
It's easy to understand that a water bomber is going to bail out. A little common sense is all it takes to avoid accidents. The crew of a Canadair first makes a low pass over the scooping axis to signal its intentions to other skydivers on the water. This low pass is made at an altitude of between 30 and 50 m. The boater must then understand that he or she must move at least 500 m away from this axis.
Scooping takes place on the second pass, over a distance of around 400m and at a speed of 80 knots. It is not necessary for a fire to be in progress to witness a scoop. Throughout the year, pilots have to train to get used to the different types of water.
