According to the Bordeaux prosecutor, he is suspected of having started 31 fires in Nord-Médoc between July 29 and August 21. In addition to forests, he would have set fire to wood and moors.
The southwestern department of Gironde was ravaged by several large forest fires this summer. Thousands of people were evacuated. In La Teste-de Buch, about 7,000 hectares of forest were destroyed last month. In Landiras, a total of more than 20,000 hectares went up in flames.
The young volunteer was arrested on Friday and faces a 15-year prison sentence for “destruction by fire.” He would have partially admitted his involvement.
Earlier this season, a man who was a member of the volunteer fire brigade was also arrested in France. The man is said to have tried to start forest fires because he likes to put out fires.