La Soufrière is as beautiful as it is dangerous. Hence safety instructions and access to the dome is prohibited

For a good cause, teams from the National Gendarmerie and Guadalupe National Park (PNG) faced the slopes of La Soufrière this Saturday, July 8, 2023. On this anniversary of the 1976 eruption, officials want to remind locals and passing visitors that a protective perimeter wall has been erected around the crater.

The zone thus divided shall come under the Governor’s Ordinance with effect from January 14, 2019; Entry into it is forbidden on pain of punishment. It is a question of safety for walkers as there is a risk of steam release and landslides beyond 1467 meters.

So, gray, rain and a constant wind, three environmental inspectors and seven gendarmes from the park went there, for the operation to control the area where access to the Soufrière dome is prohibited. Objective: To check that instructions are followed.
With bad weather, some went there and luckily, never went over the markup.
Good for today. But the prevention message should still be communicated:

(…) It is true that today it is raining and there are no expected visitors. But, we are in the holiday season; That will change in the next few days. So, we can get this message: we have an area where a lot of fumaroles have been reactivated for a few months, so it’s everyone’s “benefit” to not be there (…)

Patrice Secretier, a sports and nature technician in PNG, mentions the volcano

Patrice Secretier, a sports and nature technician in PNG, mentions the volcano

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©Mickaël Bastide and Bruno Pansiot-Villon – Guadeloupe The 1st

A group from Guadeloupe La 1^Time He also performed the climb this Saturday with the regulators. Here are some pictures that Bruno Pansiot-Villon brought back. In view, we understand that hiking is not accessible to the general public, especially in weather like this:

Defense forces attacking Soufriere in bad weather

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©Bruno Pansiot-Villon – Guadeloupe The 1st

Some walkers, under the pretense of being unaware of the restrictions, defy the barriers despite the dangers; This, despite many scenarios.

It should be noted that the area beyond the barriers can only be accessed with a certified mountain guide and regulatory equipment, especially a gas mask, which can filter the acidity in the air. , released by fumaroles.

The temptation to approach the site saying “I was not informed” (…) is real.

Felix Bastarout is an environmental researcher in PNG

Felix Bastarout is an environmental researcher in PNG

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©Mickaël Bastide and Bruno Pansiot-Villon – Guadeloupe The 1st

In the event of an incident, rescue workers are forced to put themselves at risk in order to find and rescue those in trouble. Another reason not to put yourself at risk.

And, no matter what, you need to think about the signal (a whistle) to bring something to drink, wash, warm, if necessary.Big lady“, nicknamed Soufrière of Guadeloupe.