France's province transforms into an inferno. Houses, pine forests, hills, seaside. No one is safe. >> We haven't had a real fire season in years, but this one could become very bad. [Music] The neighborhood is being evacuated >> down that road. >> No, there's no evacuation that way. >> They lit a counter fire against meaning a fire that goes towards the wildfire meets it and stops it. >> Tell them to send more. >> In total, 12,000 acres go up in smoke in a summer that sets the record for the number of fires. A daily challenge for the firefighters. Three months of battling the flames. The opportunity to put into practice years of training. They know that some in their ranks may be injured. [Music] >> I was scared when I found myself on the ground. >> With 6,000 firefighters and 1500 vehicles, the Beron department is one of the best equipped in France. I stabilize. I want to roll it back. I stabilize. >> On land, in the air, or on the water, they observe and stand ready to intervene. >> Go on. For the soldiers of fire, this season will long be remembered. You will witness their daily lives, seven days a week, 24 hours a day, battling the flames. [Music] [Applause] [Music] support [Music] [Music] in June. June and July, after several disastrous fires, 800 hectars of fields and pine forests have burned. >> Exhausted and taken off guard, the firefighters are training even more. Driving trucks in dangerous environments, helicopter interventions, and aerial scouting with drones. There's no place for mistake now. August begins. It's the driest month of the year, and the risk of forest fire has never been higher. And to top it all off, a presumed pyromaniac is still at large. The -8 plane is patrolling the area. He scouts a suspicious smoke. Estimated location, the town of Igui near Exxon Province. >> The aerial base is immediately on alert. >> Yes. >> The Canada air pilots Pier and Jean Mark are on duty. >> Did he say how far it's gone? >> They board their plane and take off for the fire. [Music] They stop to fill their tanks with water from the bare pond and arrive on site 12 minutes after takeoff. Despite the pilot's quick reaction time, the fire has already propagated over several miles. Their operation zone, a forest of tall pines on a small hill surrounded by fields and dotted with a few houses. [Music] The weather context, a northwesterly wind, a constant mistral with gusts blowing up to 50 mph. The two water bomber helicopters are already on site. They drop their water on the edge of the flames on the left flank of the fire. The Canad have priority. When they arrive, the helicopters step aside. They'll come back when the planes leave to refill their tanks. An aerial ballet takes place over the fire. Lieutenant Colonel Fontter is one of the first on the site. He takes command of the operations and asks for reinforcements. Fabris Mos soon joins him. He comes from the fire station at Exxon Province and is specialized in interventions on inaccessible sites. >> From what I can see, I have two groups at my disposal. We'll follow the events of the fire through his eyes. >> I was at EXA's emergency rescue service where we can see the whole valley from there. We saw it spread very quickly and very aggressively. It got large fast. >> Confronted with a large-scale fire, the commander of operations divides the fire into three sectors, left flank, right flank, and front sector. Fabris Mos takes the lead on the right flank. >> The fire's biggest growth happened in the first 10 to 15 minutes. It consumed what it had to consume. Then the fire went down on farmlands and houses. Fire area is pretty narrow. It didn't widen much. Thanks to the terrain here, it didn't have the time to spread. Fabris crosses the burnt area to reach his sector. >> He passes by several trucks whose radios are obviously turned off. Hey guys. They extinguish the flames with water hoses, but they're hindering the two planes which can't drop their water and keep whirling in the sky. >> Oh, hey. Is your radio on? Pay attention. There's a Canada coming. 733, keep it close to your ear. Where are your men? >> Are they coming back? The Canada are coming back to water bomb in 3 minutes. >> Hey, get your truck away from here. The planes are coming. >> There was a team already on site. The sector chief tried to contact them to make them get out before the caniders bombed them with water. It's very dangerous. The amount of water is enormous and it's dropped at very high speed. It could have been fatal. The firefighters are diplomatically made to retreat to safety. The sector chief must coordinate the various teams, vehicles, and more or less cooperative personalities. >> I didn't think of becoming a firefighter when I was a kid, but I remember something that impressed me. There was a very, very large fire in the Alps. Trees were burning and the firefighters on duty couldn't save every tree. It's something I think about regularly. If you extinguish fire on a tree, it's a tree that's been saved. >> A surveillance aircraft flies over the fire to relay its observations to the Fire Brigade HQ. It films in normal and thermal images to locate hotspots. It's nicknamed Horus in reference to the hawk god of ancient Egypt as it always seems to be hovering above the operation zone. The fire is still active and a new incident occurs. A young 19-year-old firefighter is evacuated by ambulance to the ex hospital. [Music] It was hot. There were a lot of flames and a lot of smoke. After half an hour, I wasn't feeling so good. I was scared when I found myself on the ground. My partner was in front of me, so I didn't know if he was going to turn around and see me. I saw the flames and then I got really scared. If my partner had gone, if he didn't turn back and I couldn't get up, I might have died. Sick >> on the front line. The firefighters notice that the inferno is slowing down a little. [Music] >> Canadair and helicopters were useful, but it's thanks to the terrain and the wind that the fire finally runs into clear grounds. Deprived of fuel, the fire loses intensity and slowly suffocates. The fire moved by fast and hard. It consumed half of the pine forest that covered the hill. [Music] >> The fire is under control, but we'll call it extinguished when there's no more risk of it starting again, which could still happen over there. It's smoking again, and if we don't intervene, it could start to spread and then we'd be right back where we started from. This is the drowning phase. Each hot spot is watered. The objective, infiltrate the ground with water down to the treere's roots. It's tedious hard work. Less exciting than fighting fires, but absolutely necessary. >> Look, look, it's starting again over there. You see? >> Yeah. It's starting again. Seriously, take care of it. We can't allow it to start again. Thank you, gentlemen. The drowning phase is a fight on every front. Fighting the flames may be exciting, but never neglect the drowning phase. >> Fabris Mos inspects the burnt area to assess the damages. >> Let's go look for the pizzas. >> This is a trough for the wild boars. Hunters left it there. We were smelling pizza and wondering why. >> It's because there was wheat burning here. >> A barrel of wheat right here. >> It didn't turn into popcorn because it wasn't corn, but it smelt like pizza. >> A local resident is walking through the ashes of the pine forest looking stunned. >> Hello, sir. Who are you? >> The owner. >> Owner of what? the land there. >> Okay, don't worry. One of my colleagues is going to take care of your area. >> We're making sure there's no risk of the fire starting again. Uh we're making sure that all the structures around here, >> my house over there. >> Yeah, I'm taking care of this area and all those houses. >> I also have this empty house. >> Okay. Well, we're working all around that house to drown the fire. Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome, sir. Good luck. >> We don't see a fire the same way as someone who's just watching it. >> We're trained to deploy the appropriate means to control and extinguish the fire. We don't see the spectacular aspect of it. It's just our job. It spread as it came on the right flank. The wind fanned over 40 hectares. >> The town's mayor arrives on the scene. He puts local volunteers from his fire committee at the firefighters disposal. They are equipped with all-terrain vehicles and small water tanks and hoses. >> Thank you for being here. It's very nice of you. I'm going to ask for your help, please. this way, some of my men will be able to go back to the fire station in case of another fire. >> The surveillance team is going to be small. >> But I'll tell you why your presence is so important. We need you to watch over the edge of the forest on the side of the road. >> No problem. >> We came here to help. >> Okay, thank you. Then let's go. Fabris Mosay placed all of his available troops to secure his work site. Nostalgia steps in for a moment as he looks over the site. 18 years ago, I got sent on a pretty aggressive fire in Arbor on the spot where you now see those houses. Back then, we worked hard to put out the fire and that's normal. And now years later, there's a new town on that spot where we fought so nature could survive. >> It's not exactly frustrating, but that's life. >> There's no time to philosophize. Another alarm resounds. >> Calling on every unit. Fire starting in Martig. Pack it up and go to Martig. Fill up with gas and get to Martig. >> Right. Three go to Salon. Three go to Martig. There's an aggressive fire starting in Martig 40 miles away from here. They don't have a lot of men over there. I'm withdrawing teams who were on drowning duty here and I'm sending them over there to fight the fire. Thanks to the surveillance plane Horus, the chiefs of operations can keep watching the fire in Martig while still extinguishing the fire in Igui. >> This is great. Now they can really work with the satellite pictures. One of the members of the mobile command post is appointed to surveillance of the fire in Martig. >> As soon as the plane is in the air, images are sent via aeronautic antennas. We see infrared images. We see the detect hotspots. Horus sends incredibly precise images. Lieutenant Colonel Fontaires knows the fire in Martig will quickly be under control thanks to the planes. >> Oh, what you see there is a water bomber dropping fire retardant. >> Horus can help with water drops in real time or report on the position of the fire trucks as they move. The fire in Martig is quickly under control. And again, Commander Mos is called on another emergency. >> What's up? >> The sun is setting. The firefighters have been working non-stop for 5 hours. Exhaustion starts to settle in and three tires blow nearly simultaneously. Those burnt rods stick out of the ground. They're about 3 in long and they can puncture the wheels of vehicles running over them. >> The firemen change their tires. Night has fallen and the last embers shine in the darkness. In the mobile command post, the time has come to eat a quick meal. We've got chicken pate that we can spread on bread, >> if you can call this bread, >> a Catalin salad that's probably uh probably wasn't made in Spain, and a self-heating meal that works one out of 10 times. Let's give it a try. Okay, the box is hot, but the meal is cold. Mission half accomplished. >> Oh, wait. It's warm in the middle. I may sound like an old fogy, but I kid you not. At one point, they were giving us food that had been expired for years. >> Today, 41 hectares of pine forest have burned. But the firefighters managed to protect all the houses and the people who live in the area. Our heroes wait for the next shift to relieve them so they can finally get a few hours of well-deserved rest. The day after, Fabris Mos is back, well rested at the fire station in Axon Province. Welcome to my office. Most of the guys call it the museum. It's things I got from here and there as well as a few personal souvenirs. >> There's a diploma from the 1800s from a strategy contest. 1897 exactly from a water pump strategy contest. This is an emblem of the power of the fire brigade. It's a saber. It was carried by firemen during the 1850s. I became a firefighter when I met a volunteer fireman in 1988. [Music] I was voting for the first time and the guy greeted me at the door and asked what I was doing during the summer. I went to the fire station and I stayed. >> After 10 years as a firefighter in Paris, Fabris Mos came back to Province where he got promoted to commander at the station in Exon Province. >> I like tradition. I keep our firefighter emblem, the flag for our fire station in Exxon Province. Usually, it's the chief who keeps it, but he gave it to me, so I'm happy to take care of it. This is one of the last big fire stations in France. Five people, which is just not done anymore. It makes for a very demanding atmosphere, but we're all living a wonderful experience. >> Mos and Lieutenant Colonel Fontaire meet up every night to plan tomorrow's activities. We're looking into balancing solutions. I suggest we form a group to handle this. >> They're talking with the staff of firefighters through video conference. Tonight, they're discussing exceptional news. >> In Ajaxio, there was a Canad was supposed to land in Marseilles, but crashed a few yards before its destination. The plane's tail broke and all aerial traffic was blocked for 5 hours. Finally, the firefighting plane was driven off the runway. A committee is examining the plane's damages until the Canada is back in the air. Other aircrafts carry out fire safety in the area. >> Colonel Gregory Alleon is the director of the firefighters in Bush Deon. The 12 Canad are stuck on the ground. It's a huge setback in the middle of forest fire season. So, we still have the nine trackers. The two dash are also still active. I'll coordinate with the air patrol. Do not hesitate to ask for reinforcements as soon as there's a fire alert. Considering how dry the weather is, we're going to need all the help we can get now that we no longer have the Canada. >> Colonel Alleó is worried. He knows he'll have to enroll more men to make up for the lack of Canada air and the Mistral winds will blow strong in the upcoming week. >> The mountain range in Bjon is a very risky place. They're very exposed to the Mistal and we know that smoke is the first thing that most damages our forces. So the first impact is on the firefighters. It's not for the Canad or birds. It's for us. >> The trackers and the dash are still on duty, but they're still less effective than the Canadirs. To make up for their absence, the troops are on high alert to prevent any risky behavior. [Music] Today, because of the wind and the dryness of the land, the risk of fire is exceptionally high. [Music] The forest massifs are completely closed to the public. Going in by foot or by car is strictly forbidden. The only ones allowed in are the agents of the National Forest's office. They can patrol to enforce the law because people may not know they're trespassing in a forbidden area. Hello. >> Sorry, the risk of fire is very high today. So, the massifie is closed. You'll have to leave. Take the shortest way over there. >> Yes, of course. Thank you. >> Thank you. [Music] >> We traumatized another kid. >> Matthew Benke considers that every stroller who leaves the forest is a fire avoidant. It's going to stay there for a few more days because the forecast is hot and dry and there's wind as well. >> For forest rangers like us, forest fires are a special thing. We work all year to prepare for the moment it happens. When the moment comes, we want to be ready. We want to be able to implement everything we prepared for the past year. Families and harmless tourists. Most of the time, people understand and they stop their forest heights. But sometimes, as witnessed by the gun and the pepper spray strapped to the officer's waist, things get heated. [Music] >> Hello, sir. Can you please stop the engine? Thanks, >> sir. You're on a closed road. >> Come on. We take it every day. >> Well, you're breaking the law every day. Here is a fine of €135 for circulating on a closed road. >> Am I the only one getting fined? Do the hunters get fined as well? Everybody who circulates here gets fined, sir. >> Just for driving up here, that's some pretty bad luck. >> Well, you can see it that way. But you're also lucky because we just prevented you from causing a disaster. a €135 fine. The driver ended up cooperating from June 1st to September 30th. He will have to check by himself whether he can enter the massie before taking his car. Today, the officers may have avoided a fire starting from brushes heating up against an engine. One forest fire out of five is caused by inattention. It's the second main cause of each summer fire. The first main cause is willful misconduct, which constitutes 30% of fire cases. In third place, we list outdoor work and natural events like thunder, which constitute 10% of fire outbreaks. While the canidairs are stuck on the ground, helicopters are expected to be even more proficient than usual. An additional helicopter has been brought to reinforce the two which stay on alert during the entire summer. Pilot Eric Gado is on duty at the aerial base in Salon Province. He always starts his day by examining his helicopters with a mechanic. I checked the magnetic covers, but we haven't flown since. >> The mechanic is part of the team. He's my partner here. If he's not there, the helicopter doesn't take off. Every day he does a daily checkup which lasts about 45 minutes. >> This is the magnetic cover. This is something that catches the filings before they get out. Filings are iron particles which detach from the gears and other parts. And this thing is magnetic. So if there's any filings, we see them instantly. It's an indication of the engine's aging. it. >> And as the checkup finishes, an alarm sounds. >> Exit 49. Come in. >> This is Eric's first season in the region. >> It's 10 minutes away. He takes time to check the address before rushing to the helicopter. Since I don't know the region, there's a fireman by my side who's supposed to guide me. But really, it's pretty easy. When I take off, I spot the smoke from afar, and I go straight towards it. The pilot starts by pumping water from where he can find it, a canal. He fills his white tank. One minute later, Eric makes his way towards the smoke, but the firefighters are on such high alert that the fire outbreak is smothered before the helicopter arrives. Eric is asked to drop his water on the ashes to drown them, then get back to base. [Music] There are a lot of houses in Bush Dhon, so there's a large electricity network. As a helicopter pilot, I hate power lines. It's the biggest threat when you fly at low altitudes. On the scene of a fire, when you mix power lines, wind, a blinding sun, and smoke, all the conditions are united for things to go wrong. Without you, there'd be a lot more deaths. >> It's hot in the aircraft. When you're in a big fire, there's a lot of turbulence. You're exhausted when you get home. >> There's no rest for the pilots. >> Brush fire in the town of Chatonf. >> A new alert is heard on the radio. >> Let's go. We're ready, boss. Philip Delier is the officer on board with Eric. He tries to guide the pilot as best he can. We don't like seeing a fire, but the action generates a lot of adrenaline. [Music] We never want to see a forest burn. It's the fight in itself that's exciting. This time the fire is bigger. The helicopter first circles around the fire to assess the situation, then fills its tank in the bare pond. a 12m long pool of brackish water. The pilot comes back with 260 gallons of water. He drops them on the edge of the fire just before the green land. [Music] But it's too high. The fire's heat is so strong that the water evaporated before it touches the ground. Eric gets another refill and comes back to finish the job. This time the drop is successful. [Music] The twoman team rotates another time and then another. They make six drops in total before the fire is beaten. For the two men to manage to work so well together, they had to dedicate long hours to training with each other. Eric and Philipe learned their reflexes from an adrenalinefilled training exercise called the Drash. It's a simulation which trains us to get out of a helicopter after a crash in water. It's a mandatory exercise at the beginning of the season. >> The Army conducts this demanding training exercise aimed at testing the firefighters reactions as well as how they work as a team. It's a practical exercise. We simulate crashing in water. The point is for the pilot and the firefighting officer to learn how to handle a difficult situation, a helicopter sinking in the sea. Pumping water from an aircraft is one of the most dangerous maneuvers a pilot can do. Every year, the pilot and his firefighter teammate take a force dive. It's one of the most extreme training exercises out there. >> What are your names? >> Eric. >> Eric and Philip. >> Eric and Phillip. Okay, here we go. >> Right now, This represents the same configuration as the helicopter you fly. >> You'll see there's a stick for the pilot. It's spring and the water is 59°. Eric and Phipe are already cold. If the helicopter crashes while pumping water, the men have two to three seconds to react before they hit the water. They need solid reflexes. This year is special for me. Until now, I've been a fire station chief for 15 years. Now, I have the opportunity to see a different branch of the firefighting apparatus and get more involved with the helicopter unit. >> Those belts protect you from impacts and prevent injuries. Impact with water or land is the same. But tell me, what happens when you crash in water? The water rises in the cockpit. >> Yes, you must protect yourselves by assuming the emergency position. Go on and then I'll test your position. >> No, this doesn't look good. You're moving way too much. This one doesn't look good either. Look, your elbow just hit there. A tightened belt is a belt that'll be easier to unfassen. Go ahead, make it a little tighter. [Music] [Music] >> Addy, I thought Prepare yourselves. >> Okay, let's go. >> Okay, we're ready. [Music] Within seconds, the cockpit is underwater. Eric and Phipe hold their breath. Their belts keep them attached to their seats. They can barely see anything because of the air bubbles and their agitation. Like in a real helicopter, they have to kick out the side doors and get free from this underwater trap. The pilot's window is too narrow. Eric gives up and goes through the door. [Music] >> You okay? >> You all right? >> Was that your first time? >> I did it once 10 years ago. >> I'm on the large size. So, in that simulation, the window wasn't big enough. On my helicopter, the door is pretty wide. We both have access to an emergency opening. When I kick out the door on my side, I'll have an opening that wide to get out. So, it's no problem. But on the simulator, the window is smaller. No rest for the air team. They have to do it all over again. Only this time, it's more difficult. Not only do they have to get out of this metal trap, they also sink head first in the water as if their helicopter turned upside down during the crash. [Music] Upside down underwater, it's impossible to keep your bearings. You lose all sense of up and down. It's a very stressful exercise. [Music] You good? >> Did you feel like you lost your bearings? >> Yes. I went for the wrong door. >> I wanted to go out my door. >> Yeah. But then I realized I was on his side. So then I had to come back to my side. >> And did you feel my hand? I tried to guide you because you went to the back because you went towards the rear. >> I didn't notice anything. >> Philip Delier is 56. It's a personal challenge for him to get back in the field in this aerial unit. Slide your hand along your thigh and when you get to the knee, you know the handle isn't far. I found the exercise very realistic. It was extremely interesting and we felt pretty safe. Unfortunately, there won't be any divers with us if we crash for real. >> Yeah. And it's not like I want to transform into a fish. I'd kind of like to avoid that. >> Like every kid, I dreamed of becoming a firefighter, and I moved on to something else. I did some studies. Then came the time to do national military service. I didn't really want to get sent to the north of France to sweep a courtyard. I wanted to do something useful. So, I joined the firefighters. I found a lot of values that I liked. Team spirit, structure, volunteering, selflessness. I think all this stuff is important and the firefighters will need to be selfless this summer with fire outbreaks that keep on happening. [Music] As the Canada are still stuck on the ground, a new twist is revealed. The police placed a man in custody as part of their investigation on the fires that have broken out in July. The town's mayors are concerned by the news and call a press conference. This guy can start three fires in two hours. >> I don't know if you've ever tried to light a fire with just a cigarette. You need kindling and alcohol. It takes effort. [Music] >> You sound like you know your stuff. No, no. It's just at home, my barbecues never light easily. But these guys know exactly what they're doing. There's no other way to say it. They're criminals. >> Stefan Rosi is a journalist at La Pov. He covered the story of every fire since the beginning of the season and has attentively followed the investigation. The police are starting to understand the suspect. He seems fascinated by fire. After starting one, he comes back to the scene to see the damage he's done. According to the psychiatrists, he seems lucid enough to be responsible for his actions. He works as a cleaner. He didn't confess for 48 hours. He told the police that maybe he threw a cigarette, but maybe he set the fire, but it wasn't on purpose. And in the end, he cracked and confessed everything. >> The arsonist is behind bars, but that doesn't mean there won't be any more fires. >> Hello. >> Hello. I'd like to know if I could talk to the commissioner, please. >> Yes. >> On top of the fire that burnt 10 hectares, there's been other fire outbreaks, right? So, he's got imitators. It's crazy. There's never been so many fires in so little time. >> Thank you. Goodbye. >> Another fire broke out and someone else is in custody. This is yesterday's fire. This is the starting point. >> Stefan and his colleagues are sorting out the pictures from yesterday's fire. For them, too. The season means a lot of work. They can be sent to the scene of a fire at any time, day or night. I've rarely seen so many criminal fires since I've been here, especially in so little time. Just in our sector, 600 hectares of land have burned. Normally, we don't always go to the scene of the fire because they're usually already put out when we get there. This year, the fires are aggressive. We get what firefighters call atomic mushrooms. The smoke looks like a gigantic mushroom. These fires are visible from miles away. >> How can he inform the public without encouraging criminals? Stefan is trying to solve this dilemma every day. An arsonist doesn't need to read about fires in the newspaper to act. I still hope that our work can prevent accidental fire outbreaks. We're here to make sure people are aware that a thrown cigarette can start a fire. If only one person stops flicking their cigarette butts, it's a good thing. >> Journalists and firefighters alike stay on alert. Hopefully, the Canada will be allowed to fly again very soon. In firefighter school to stay on top of their skills, pilots like Jean Mark Mateo must train on flight simulators every year to stay proficient. Our mission in the end is to help with fighting against forest fires. We're here to aid and coordinate with the firefighting apparatus with those on the ground, etc. There's a lot of coordination involved. All our resources must be used effectively. One of the biggest difficulties for the Canada pilots is to coordinate with the firefighters on land. Everything looks clear. The trackers are approaching the right flank and waiting for permission to drop. In Villa's firefighter school, every unit works behind a screen in a separate room. The computer simulated a fire that looks a lot like the one which devastated the Blue Coast a few weeks ago. [Music] >> The firefighters must test out their decision-making skills. Everyone must place their troops and communicate with the other units. They must find the best overall strategy to put the fire out. In 2 hours, it'll reach a town. The computer simulated fire is fanned by a strong mistral. Every communication must be quick and precise, just like in the real world. Even the commanders feel the pressure. Jean Pierre is head of the forest fire unit. Permission to drop on the left flank. It's like the army. They don't like war, but they go to war if they have to. It's their job. They live for it. It's the same for us. We don't want to see any fire. But we know there'll always be one Porsche is one of the trainers and doesn't hesitate to shake up the troops who are slow to react. It's what I want them to understand. I don't want to scare him. I just want him to be more efficient. We haven't had a real fire season in years, but this one could become very bad. >> Where to place the troops so they won't be in the way of the water drops? How to reach the inaccessible parts of the forest to put out the flames? The firefighters must answer every question in record time while keeping a level head. The officers aren't the only ones feeling the pressure. >> In the lower ranks, people are very aware of the high risk. Things are tense. According to the rumors, this is the first time there's been so much operational activity during a season. Surveillance units patrol in the forest massifs during the whole season. >> Sebastian and Leah check on every piece of equipment they have before leaving. >> It's very dry, so there's a lot of fire outbreaks. >> We don't work like the Americans. They let the fire burn and define a zone where they stop it by cutting down entire spreads of forest. We can't do that because there are houses around the massive. That's why we send a lot of people to every fire outbreak. >> The surveillance unit reaches their position in the forest. Sebastia and Leia joined three other fire engines from other stations. Their commander is Assistant Chief Jeanlu Keno, a professional firefighter. He's at the head of a small unit with 18 firefighters ready to intervene if needed. Hello everyone. >> The hardest part is going to be managing two types of people. The ones who will get excited at the sight of fire and rush towards it and the ones who will get scared and back away. The goal is for everyone to work together at the same level. The risk is flagged as severe for eight areas. It's very special when we're positioned in the massive. It's kind of a mix between work and summer camp. It's always nice to be in the Pinewood in Province during summer. >> After the meeting, everybody gets back to their fire engine to kill time however they can. They eat lunch, take a nap, and share firefighter stories again and again. >> I didn't sleep during last watch. >> What? >> I didn't sleep. >> You woke me up with your snoring. A voice on the radio announces wonderful news. >> I have an update for the Canadirs. >> The Canad can finally fly again. Three Canadirs will join the forest fire apparatus this afternoon. >> The troops are relieved. They can relax a bit. At the beginning of his career, Jean Luke worked on one of the biggest fires ever, the St. Victtoir fire in 1989. He owes his life to the Canadirs. The fire spread very fast and we didn't have enough water. It came right over us. We were at the back of the engine and the canid air flew to help us get out of there. They dropped water on us from way higher than usual so we wouldn't get injured and it cooled down the trucks. >> I won't ever forget it as long as I live. And now that I'm a commanding officer, I take a lot of these things into account. >> The surveillance units were implemented to prevent that kind of devastating fire. Sentinels watch over Proce in a tight network, ready to intervene as soon as a fire gets reported in their area. >> There's a noise on the radio again, but this time it's not good news. >> Coordinate checkpoint 2. [Music] 2 p.m. The patrolling air tankers sound the alarm. Suspicious smoke is rising over Foster Mayor behind a large oil depot. >> The fire was already big. We could see the giant cloud of smoke from dozens of miles away. A fire broke out in a forest that surrounds a very dangerous area. This is where Marles's fuel reserves are kept. [Music] The fire was caused by a faulty brake system on a truck. It was on the roadside right next to the storage tanks. If the flames get to the tanks, it'll be a disaster. At headquarters, Fire Chief Gregory Aljon follows the operations closely. >> This is an industrial zone. We've got fuel and chemical sites. The worst would be a chain reaction. It's a very sensitive site. We're conscious of the human, natural, and economical issues. >> 150 firefighters are immediately sent to the site. >> I can see the chopper ahead. This time they spray the vegetation with foam instead of water. The foam is a mixture of air, extinguishing agent, and water. Perfect to fight a class B fire. A fire fueled by flammable liquids which float on water. I never thought about how I reacted to the flames. Now that I'm more experienced, I realize how dangerous it is. I'm not attracted to the flames. It's not something that excites me. The surveillance plane Horus detects a second fire outbreak closer to the sea, a few miles away from the first fire. The general staff in Marseilles studies the fire's images before deciding to send 200 more firefighters as reinforcements. >> 14 and 15, the West Group is armed. [Music] I want them all to come back safe. When I was younger and just starting out as a firefighter, I couldn't wait to get sent out. I didn't care about how I'd get back. Now, as a commanding officer, I send them out because we have a mission, but my main concern is to make sure they come back. [Music] >> 2:19 p.m. 150 acres have gone up in flames. Traffic on Highway 568 is blocked. Several hundred cars and trucks are stuck in the industrial zone. [Music] 200 employees must stay in their company's building. They're too close to the fire, but it's too late to evacuate them. Half of the buildings are classified as high risk. It's a nightmare for the firefighters. We're asking a lot from our troops. >> The heat is unbearable. >> You can barely breathe down there. >> 249. Three candidairs take off from Mahan to bomb the fire with water. Despite a mistral at 50 mph, the fire's advance is slow on the flat scenery. 900 yd in just an hour. The air tankers get on the attack. When embers float, they jump over the firefighters and propagate the fire beyond them. That's the main threat. There are several sensitive spots. A freight train stuck in the middle of the tracks carrying dangerous materials and all the power lines in the area. Several other small fires break out because of the floating embers, like this giant pile of wood. All the fire engines are already working on the first blazes. The only vehicle left isn't big enough to fight against this new aggressive fire. >> The fire will follow its course. We don't have enough men and vehicles to put it out, so we'll canalize it and guide it where we want it to go. 35,000 tons of wood go up in flames in front of the firefighters. They can't be everywhere at once and give priority to other sites which they are about to extinguish. 300 p.m. The officers can breathe again. The fires are far from extinguished, but at least they're not spreading anymore. This fire spread over 1,000 wooded hectares. An industrial zone like this one represents 45,000 jobs. It's a crucial point. The fire was threatening the fuel supplies for the entire boosteron sector. >> Now they must extinguish the last flames and drowned every hot spot. A gigantic disaster has just been prevented. Though the firefighters show signs of exhaustion, they have the situation under control. Around 1,000 more hectars went up in flames at the beginning of August, despite the firefighters and their air force's constant vigilance. The arsonist who started July's fires is now behind bars. The season should be quieter, but the experienced officers know too well that during the summer in Provence, you can never let your guard down. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Yeah. [Music] Heat.