7 Nov 2017

French firefighters join New Caledonian crews

2:25 pm on 7 November 2017

French firefighters have been flown to New Caledonia to reinforce local teams stretched by an early spell of bushfires.

firefighter with hose

Photo: 123RF

Since the middle of September, almost 100 square kilometres of vegetation has been burnt, incurring substantial material damage but no loss of life

A total of 27 French firefighters are expected this week to help local crews.

At the weekend, a major fire was extinguished after 250 firefighters battled it for nearly three weeks.

A territory-wide fire ban has been in place for weeks after a dry winter.