An anti-corruption association has lodged a formal complaint calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the creation of a firebreak that was illegally initiated by a businessman from Cap-Ferret during the massive wildfire in Gironde. The complaint, filed on Wednesday, August 19, targets unidentified persons and seeks to uncover potential environmental and forestry violations.
Unauthorized Construction Begins Amid Mega-Fire Crisis
Benoît Bartherotte, president of the Association for the Defense of the Pointe du Cap-Ferret (ADPCF), began cutting down pine trees on July 23 to create a firebreak several hundred meters wide. The work started the day after a mega-fire erupted that would ultimately devastate 42,000 hectares in the department. The businessman, whose four-hectare property sits on the affluent peninsula, acted without prior authorization from public authorities.
The fire, which originated in Saumos, was advancing toward the town of Lège-Cap-Ferret, prompting authorities to evacuate tens of thousands of people from the area due to the risk of flames cutting off the only access road.
Bartherotte, 79, defended his actions when interviewed by AFP on July 29 at the construction site financed by his association. He claimed to be acting out of urgency and admitted to using his connections, including reaching out to Brigitte Macron, to secure authorization after the fact.
Complaint Highlights Lack of Authorization and Land Ownership Issues
The anti-corruption association AC!! pointed out that the project began without authorization on land partially owned by the municipality and the National Forestry Office (ONF). The work was suspended on July 26 at the request of the mayor’s office but resumed two days later following what the association described as “discussions with the authorities.”
Jean-Pierre Steiner, a former police commissioner and member of AC!!, criticized Bartherotte’s actions. “Locally, we know Mr. Bartherotte has incredible nerve,” Steiner said. “Through his association, he first protected his property, not nature.” He accused the businessman of exempting himself from regulations and then pressuring authorities to approve work done without any prior coordination.
Official Firebreak Created Separately
On July 27, a second, much larger firebreak was legally constructed by authorities further north at the entrance to the peninsula. This was part of colossal efforts that created a total of 127 kilometers of firebreaks to prevent the spread of flames in the department.
Bartherotte has lived on the peninsula since the early 1980s and is known for his ongoing work to maintain a dike against coastal erosion, which has been the subject of a decades-long legal battle with authorities. He was recently featured in a lengthy profile in M magazine, titled “At Cap-Ferret, Benoît Bartherotte, Master of His Kingdom.”
Businessman Defends Actions as Necessary Intervention
When contacted by AFP, Bartherotte did not dispute acting without initial authorization but justified his actions as filling a gap left by public authorities. “We acted very quickly, without costing the taxpayer anything. So yes, it’s possible that people intervened to protest the suspension of our work and that these interventions led to a rapid response from the state, but that makes sense,” he said.
The complaint by AC!! seeks to determine whether environmental and forestry laws were violated and to clarify the exact conditions under which public authorities allowed or facilitated the continuation of the project.
