Forest fire in Bitsch (News 2024, by Denis Balibouse) - Swiss Press Award
Denis Balibouse
A helicopter carries water to a wildfire on the flank of a mountain in Bitsch near Brig
Reuters
2nd place
Photo / News
2024
Denis Balibouse
On 17th July, a forest fire is burning near Bitsch in Upper Valais. Firefighting helicopters are employed, including Super Pumas belonging to the Swiss Army (to the protestations of private helicopter company, Air Zermatt). The situation is only stabilised after weeks and vast destruction: 50,000 trees have burned, and the restoration of these protective woodlands will take up to 100 years.
