New Caledonia records 70% increase in bushfires
New Caledonia records 70% increase in bushfires
30 April 2010
published by www.radioaustralia.net.au
New Caledonia — The French High Commission in New Caledonia says the number of bush fires recorded in the territory this season is particularly worrying.
From the beginning of October 2009 to February 15th this year, there were 502 bushes fires.
That’s more than double the number recorded for the same period last year.
Even more concerning is that 90 per cent of the fires were started by people, many of them deliberately.
France is due to hand over control of civil security services including fire fighting services to New Caledonia by 2012.
Local authorities are already discussing plans to open more fire stations, particularly in the less densely populated, indigenous Kanak-dominated North Province.
