- The forest fire in Upper Valais is not yet fully under control. However, the situation is stable.
- Despite good weather on Thursday, the fire brigade is making slow progress.
- Hopes are pinned on Friday, when thunderstorms and precipitation are expected.
- The fire broke out later Monday afternoon. 50 evacuees are still waiting to be allowed to return home.
Around 80 firefighters made slow progress in the forest fire area above Bitsch in Upper Valais on Thursday – despite help from the air and the wind not increasing. While they worked on the edge of the forest on Wednesday to contain the damage, they worked in the forest for the first time on Thursday, accompanied by foresters and specialists. Around 20 firefighters were on duty that night.
The firefighters are performing tasks that they have not been able to do before, partly because of the wind, the risk of debris and because the ground was sometimes so hot that the soles of their shoes could melt. However, the extreme heat of the ground is still present and the firefighters move slowly in the very difficult environment; they are exhausted and have to take frequent breaks, as Franz Mayr from the Bitsch community management staff emphasized to Keystone-SDA. According to Mayr, there are still a few smaller sources of fire to be extinguished.
Six helicopters in action
Six helicopters, including an Army Super Puma, worked tirelessly in those areas where no firefighters were on the ground. A flight assistant coordinated the operation.
Forest fire in Upper Valais
A command post has been set up in Oberried to avoid having to come down again and wasting time on unnecessary trips. While the fire is still not under control, the situation is stabilizing and only minor fires remain to be brought under control.
An army Super Puma helicopter recorded the situation between 4 and 6 a.m. with thermal imaging cameras. The use made it possible to better recognize the extent of the damage, says Mayr. The helicopter will be back in action on Friday morning.
On Wednesday, safety director Frédéric Favre decided on a general ban on fires outdoors. This applies from Thursday in the canton of Valais. The decision also affects the firing of fireworks – including national holidays.
The canton of Valais justified the general fire ban outdoors in a statement with the lack of precipitation since mid-May this year. In addition, high temperatures prevailed and a relatively strong wind was blowing. That dries out the soil.
The Valais authorities expect the situation to ease only after an intense rainy season of at least three days with more than 30 millimeters of rain per square meter. Even short rain showers and thunderstorms could not defuse the dangerous situation.
The authorities speak of around 100 hectares of forest in the affected area above Bitsch. This corresponds to an area of about 140 football pitches. According to estimates by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), it takes 100 to 200 years for a coniferous forest like the one that just burned down to grow back.
So far there have been no injured people or animals and no damage to the building. However, the municipalities of Bitsch and Riederalp have set up a restricted zone in the area of the forest fire.
About 50 residents from Oberried and the hamlets of Flesche and Ober-Eichen have not yet been able to return to their homes. There is no schedule yet. However, some are allowed to take things out of their apartments on Thursday evening, accompanied by people doing community service.
As Mayr went on to say, a headquarters should be set up in the Bitsch gym on Thursday to coordinate the procedure over the next few days.