Fires: more accurate, 24/24 operation, cameras installed this summer to detect fire starts

We can get precise information on a fire, up to a distance of around twenty kilometers," explains Jean-Paul Baylac, head of forest fire and risk prevention for the Aude SDIS. With all the cameras in the department, this means we can cover the entire sensitive territory.

This saves time, according to Lieutenant-Colonel Philippe Fabre, head of the operational coordination unit: "The camera immediately gives us the precise angle at which the lens is aimed, so we can have a reliable direction, and then all that's left to do is identify the distance.

Everything is centralized at the departmental fire and rescue service in Carcassonne. So, when a fire is detected in Villedaigne that day, the firefighters quickly have very precise information. "We can see exactly where the fire started. Just now, we were able to see whether it was to the north or south," explains Jean-Paul Baylac. This kind of precision was not possible in the past with conventional lookouts.

365 days a year, day and night

Christian Raynaud, President of the Aude SDIS, is also convinced by this system: "It will work 365 days a year, night and day. Whereas manned lookouts only work in the summer, during the day, until 8pm, and then it's all over."

Thanks to the journalists for this report.

Source: FranceTVinfo - Eric Henry and Clara de Antoni