Gérald Darmanin asked the prefects on Friday to “be particularly vigilant” or even to cancel the traditional pyrotechnic shows of August 15 due to “increased risks of fires” while France is faced with several large fires fanned by a historic drought.
“I ask you to examine, in close collaboration with the mayors concerned, the advisability of maintaining these demonstrations and to take, if necessary, at your level an administrative measure to ban these events”, writes the Minister of Interior in a telegram consulted by AFP.
Several prohibition orders
The prefects must ensure that the mayors observe “a strict application of the regulatory provisions” governing fireworks, in particular “the climatic and meteorological conditions”, the “choice of the site”, the “safety distances” and the ” mobilization of appropriate human and technical resources”.
An already significant number of prefectures (Gironde, Landes, Aveyron, Creuse, Corrèze, Drôme, Ardèche, Haute-Garonne, Vosges, Moselle, Côtes-d’Armor, Ille-et-Vilaine, Morbihan, Finistère, etc.) have already issued orders prohibiting the use of fireworks.