A Rumble in the Night Sky

As a severe heatwave envelops Europe, we find that we are spending more and more of the day indoors. Any outdoor jobs that need doing have to be completed early in the morning. As the evening cools, we venture outdoors again and that is when we retreat to the pool to swim and read and watch the night draw in. Two nights ago , the 21st June marked the Summer Solstice, and as we were anticipating the longest night of the year, we heard a deep rumble in the sky. This grew louder and louder until, looking up, we saw three planes passing overhead. Canadairs! If you have read my earlier blogs , you will know that these are fire-fighting planes. Our peace was restored, but not long afterwards the rumble returned as these same planes retraced their route , heading north. Alas , the evening was no longer ours to enjoy alone , for these planes came and went for the next two hours. "They must be picking up water in Lac Salagou," we commented, for we have seen this before. We watched them come and go as the sun grew ever lower in the sky.

As we went to bed that evening we could still hear a rumble in the sky. A local newspaper article the next morning revealed that the fire had been in the mountains to the north of us, close to the town of Nant. Apparently it had eventually been put out.

The next evening, however, planes returned. Four Canadairs this time were plying the same route. It would appear that the fire had reignited itself, as can often happen. As we cooled off with our evening swims, the skies were more noisy and troubled than ever. Yesterday was the 23rd June , and we could only hear one solitary plane from time to time. Clearly, everything is now under control. However, we shall remain vigilant. At the moment the days are hot but calm. Should the wind rise , the danger of forest fire increases. It is no little comfort that the départment of Hérault keeps its fleet of firefighting planes nearby at Béziers/Cap d'Agde airport. They are also often to be seen scooping up water from the sea, should the fire be in the south of the département.

Listening to those aeroplanes constantly plying backwards and forwards over the past evenings makes me realise what tough work it must be. Thank you to all teams of brave firefighters who are on alert at this time of year. This icludes the land based DFCI( Défence contre Incendie du Forêt) who survey the forest around us too.