Every year, wildfires ravage thousands of hectares of forest in France. As a preventative measure, clearing undergrowth is sometimes compulsory. The aim is to stop fires from spreading, protect homes and make it easier for the fire service to carry out their work.
Clearing undergrowth helps to limit the amount of fuel that a fire could feed on. If you live on the edge of a woodland, it is important to maintain your land properly by pruning your trees and shrubs, and then clearing away your garden waste (dead or cut branches, grass clippings, etc.). Dead leaves and pine needles that have fallen to the ground should also be raked up: they burn very easily and allow the fire to spread rapidly.
A clear site makes the fire brigade’s job easier
Clearing undergrowth from your land also helps to better protect your property and home. In the event of a nearby forest fire, this helps to slow its spread towards your home as much as possible and reduce its intensity. Furthermore, a clear plot of land makes the fire service’s job easier: in the event of a fire, they can access the scene more easily and tackle the blaze more effectively.
In certain areas prone to frequent wildfires, clearing brush around your home is a legal requirement, particularly in the regions of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Corsica, Occitanie, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, and the departments of Ardèche and Drôme. To find out whether this requirement applies to you, visit your local town hall or the nearest fire station.