Development and equipment

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Infrastructures (development work)

The forest road system

• Trails: the function of fast and complete access has been privileged. The density of all primary, secondary and service trails represents a network of around 3 to 4 km per 100 ha. The road system, with stabilized primary roads, is still insufficient; its optimum density is 50 km per 10,000 ha.
  The 42,000 km of existing trails are maintained via mowing but sometimes require reshaping, drainage and upgrading work.
• Bridges and water crossings: these crossing structures (primarily crossings over pipes) complement trails in this region where the water system is particularly dense.

Water facilities

Since 1947, DFCI Associations have successfully created and maintained over 17,000 km of ditches making it possible to drain trails and regulate water evacuation.

• Ditches and canals: the development of the forest massif is closely related to drainage work that makes it possible to control the level of the water table and evacuate surface water. This system makes it possible to introduce young trees and limit the risk of spreading fires in the springtime, which is a high-risk period. In March and April, standing dead herbaceous vegetation from the previous year (ferns, moor grass) represents a highly flammable fuel. At the end of winter, the water table is high and makes land non-load bearing; fire-fighting vehicles can get stuck.

Water resources

There are currently almost 3,100 water supply points spread out over the 4 départements. To increase water resources, whenever possible, DFCI relies on natural water supply points (streams, ponds, water bodies) but also on agricultural facilities (private boreholes).

• Wells and boreholes, engineered water supply points: they are essential for the proper functioning of land-based fire control facilities. The greater in number and closer to potential fires they are, the faster fires may be combated. Boreholes, engineered water supply points and cisterns are used. The goal is to have one water supply point every 2 to 2.5 km or one water supply point per 500 ha.

Signage

To facilitate navigation in the field, DFCI trails are marked with DFCI Access signs. They show the DFCI ASA and the name and number of the trail. These signs are located at trail entrances and exits. The number provided is unique per town.

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