Risk representations and management in urban wildland interfaces in France. The case of Landes of Gascony

Résumé En

We aim at analyzing inhabitants’ risks representations and public policies to mitigate risks in wildland urban interfaces in Southwestern France. The studied area is the most important cultivated forest in Europe, mainly planted of maritime pines for industrial purpose in the 19th century on a sparsely inhabited and swampy area. The region is now very attractive with seaside tourism on the Atlantic Coast and spectacular urbanization process whose consequence is the development of wildland urban interfaces with particular landscapes of houses built under trees cover. These processes increase potential land-use conflicts and forest fire risks. Moreover the region was devastated by two major storms in 1999 and 2009 whose consequences are big losses for forestry and numerous damages caused by falling trees in urbanized areas. The first storm was considered as an exceptional event, but the second one was interpreted as the potential symptom of climate change.A survey, based on 60 semi-structured interviews of inhabitants has been carried out to evaluate general public’s practices, knowledge and perceptions. Local authorities’ risk management was also analyzed. The results show that the fear of storm leads to limited trees removal in the gardens. Nevertheless gardens design and inhabitants’ practices seldom take into account fire due to risk underestimation and aesthetic considerations. Local authorities also undervalue fire risk and are not really aware of risk evolution, particularly vulnerability, due to urban development. This explains an important reluctance to accept prevention plans and safety measures promoted by national authorities.