11 Oct 2010

New Caledonia braces for more bush fires amid high temperatures

6:23 am on 11 October 2010

The authorities in New Caledonia are preparing for more bush fires after record temperatures in spring contributed to fires territory-wide.

About 20 square kilometres of vegetation has been destroyed in recent weeks when temperatures outside Noumea approached 35 degrees.

The spokeswoman of the French High Commission in Noumea, Michele Lajus, says an infrared camera was used which helped French firefighters deal with the fires on the Isle of Pines

"The firemen from the south of France, they have been using this for the first time and they said it's really remarkable."

Michele Lajus says the use of the camera also helped to identify hotspots where fires might have flared up again.