In the midst of the risk of fire risks, Tunisia sets up a reinforced awareness campaign to protect its vast forest spaces. Indeed, from May 1 and until the end of October, the authorities call for general mobilization, especially in forest areas. Among the flagship measures, the use of drones in fire detection is at the heart of the system. A legislative change is even envisaged to facilitate their deployment, a potentially crucial lever in the fight against this scourge which threatens thousands of hectares each year. This is said by Zouheir Ben Salem, general engineer at the General Directorate of Forests and Pastures.
In an interview granted on Sunday, May 4, 2025 on national radio, Ben Salem explained that the prevention campaign, supported by field actions and media messages, aims to reduce the risks linked to fires, especially during the summer period. The official also stressed the possibility of an extension of the campaign beyond October if the situation justifies it.
In addition, the general engineer has highlighted the positive results obtained in recent years, stressing that thanks to the speed of intervention and the effectiveness of the first measures taken in the field, the number of fires has decreased considerably. Between 2022 and 2024, the number of fires increased from 729 to 349, while the burned area decreased significantly, from 8,065.6 hectares to only 815.8 hectares. These results testify to the effectiveness of the strategies put in place to fight against this scourge.
Ben Salem, however, alerted to the difficult situation in the Directorate General of Forests, which suffers from a glaring lack of staff, having only 30 % of the workforce necessary to cope with current challenges.
Importance of citizen awareness and new technologies
-On another level, the manager insisted on the need to strengthen public awareness concerning the dangers of forest fires. According to him, increased vigilance on the part of citizens, in particular those residing in forest areas, is essential to limit the risk of fire. “The active contribution of the inhabitants to quickly report any departure of fire is crucial to limit the spread of fires,” he said.
With this in mind, he called residents of forest areas and recreational or economic activity managers to adopt responsible behavior and take the necessary precautions to avoid the risk of fire. “Reckless behavior, such as abandoning incandescent waste or the use of open fires, must be absolutely avoided,” he added.
In this same framework, Zouheir Ben Salem spoke of the importance of modern technologies in early detection of fires. He expressed the hope that Tunisian legislation will evolve to allow the use of drones in this area, a technology capable of quickly locating fire households and facilitating the intervention of fire fighting teams. “The use of drones is essential for rapid fire detection,” he said.
In the same wake, the manager announced that a collaboration is underway with a start-up based at Ras Jebel, in the governorate of Bizerte. This company works on the installation of smoke sensors to quickly detect fire departures. “A first pilot experience has been successfully carried out, and discussions are underway to extend the use of this technology,” he said.
Regarding the causes of fires, Zouheir Ben Salem said that 95 % of fires are of human origin. Although some may result from negligence, such as a spark from firewood or leftover cigarettes, others may be of criminal origin. He insisted on the need to intensify efforts to prevent these irresponsible acts and repress those who endanger the environment.
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