Heatwave, forest fires: preparing for summer risks

Impacted by climate disruption, areas around the Mediterranean can experience periods of intense heat. These can have serious consequences for the human body, particularly for vulnerable people.

In Hérault, a minimum temperature of 35°C during the day and 22°C at night is required to qualify as a heatwave.

Adopt the right reflexes

• Heat can be conducive to the formation of air pollutants: take note of the Occitanie air quality index.
• Your pets can also suffer from the heat: keep them out of the sun and give them water to keep them hydrated. Make sure you never leave them alone in a car, even for a few minutes.
• Gestures and tips for living better with the heat to be found on the site of Santé Public France.

Zones at risk

The territory of Montpellier is particularly sensitive to the risk of forest fires, especially in the northern part of the commune including:

• The Lunaret zoo
• The Lez nature reserve
• The Montmaur wood
• Montferrier le Vieux
• The Plan des Quatre seigneurs
• The parc Malbosc
• Le Château d'O
• Le lac des Garrigues
• La pinède de la Paillade

Adopt the right reflexes

• Be up to date with the legal obligation to clear brushwood imposed on certain owners to limit the start and spread of fires,
• Anticipate the means of fighting a possible outbreak of fire (water points, equipment...),
• Consult regularly the forest weather updated every evening at 5pm and the daily departmental map which lists possible restrictions (ban on work, use of fire, access to wooded areas...),
• Do not light fires or barbecues in or near wooded areas,
• Do not undertake any spark-generating work on days when there is a fire alert : A prefectoral decree regulates the use of equipment or machinery that could start a fire in areas exposed to forest fires and in the 200 m strip,
• Postpone your outings in vulnerable wooded areas depending on weather conditions and fire vigilance: some sites may also be inaccessible to the public for safety reasons, such as the zoo de Lunaret and its surroundings (Montmaur woods and Lez nature reserve),
• Subscribe to TeleAlert to receive an alert in the event of a major risk, as well as notification when the vigilance level presents a high to very high danger and may lead to restrictions.
• Be cautious about your activities in the forest. Do not smoke in or near the forest.

Discover all the ways you can prepare for a risky situation: sign up for the telealert (receive an email or text message detailing the risk and the actions put in place by the City), sign up for the vulnerable persons register for isolated people to bring them help in an emergency situation...