Farmers & Winegrowers’ Area

Farming in high-risk areas: preventing farmers from leaving, protecting farms

Harvesting in a heatwave, controlled burning, machinery spitting sparks, herds needing to be brought to safety — and a unique role: your cultivated fields are the best fuel breaks in the area. A farmer’s guide to dealing with fire.

Today’s Alert Slash-and-burn & burning: the law

Content verified — July 2026 Forest Fires Association

Key information for you

The 4 key messages to bear in mind for your profile.

Harvesting during a heatwave is the number one risk Cutting bar against stone = sparks. Harvest early in the morning; keep the cultivator and water tank at the edge of the field; stop work in strong winds — many departments have regulations in place governing this.
Burning is no longer something you can just do on a whim Notification to the town hall, authorised periods, supervised and secured worksite. The unauthorised burning of crop residues is a recurring offence — and the cause of many spring fires.
Your plots are strategic locations A vineyard or a strip of cleared stubble can halt a hillside fire. Agroforestry practices and the maintenance of cultivated strips protect the entire area.
Plan ahead for your pets VERY early evacuation (using a livestock lorry, with mutual assistance) or gathering the animals on a cleared, watered-down plot. Animals must never be kept confined in buildings as a fire approaches.

Your actions

In practical terms, here’s what you can do right now.

Slash-and-burn, burning: what the law says Exemptions for businesses, notifications, timeframes — and penalties in the event of a fire getting out of control. View the details Work and machinery in dry weather Time slots, on-board fire extinguishers, post-construction monitoring: the precautions that prevent the worst from happening. View the details Taking precautions before starting any project Harvesting, chipping, pruning: plan your work around the Forest Weather Forecast. View The farm’s animal management plan Early evacuation, safe zones, identification: the tab dedicated to animals. View the details ISN and post-disaster assistance National Solidarity Allowance, property tax relief, MSA: where to apply and deadlines. View the details Insurance: crops, buildings, equipment What comprehensive agricultural insurance and fire cover include, and how to make a claim quickly and effectively. View the details

Useful resources & contacts

The organisations and reference documents relevant to your profile.

Chambers of AgricultureOfficial Support with the preparation of applications and local agreements.
MSAOfficial Support with contributions following a disaster: Agri’écoute (09 69 39 29 19).
DDT(M) for your department Disaster/ISN and Fire Use Exemption Desk.
After the crash The fallout is hitting operators hard — the dedicated systems.
Fires currently burning Real-time information on the situation around your plots.
Your woods? If the holding includes wooded plots: the forested area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I harvest on a day classified as ‘red’?

Several departments now regulate agricultural work on days when the risk is very high (imposed working hours, the presence of a water tank, or even postponement). Check your department’s prefectural order on ‘agricultural work’ — and in all cases: work early in the morning, never during the hottest and windiest parts of the day.

A fire broke out in my combine harvester: am I liable?

Gross negligence (harvesting in strong winds on a ‘red day’, or failing to have the emergency response resources required by official order) may result in you being held criminally and civilly liable. Conversely, compliance with prefectural regulations will work strongly in your favour. Your business liability insurance will cover you — make a claim immediately.

My vines have taken on a smoky taste: am I entitled to compensation?

Yes, potentially through the national solidarity compensation scheme (for uninsurable crop losses) following approval — the precedents from 2021 and 2025 have confirmed this for affected wines. Application deadlines are short: contact your Chamber of Agriculture and the DDT without delay. Details: financial assistance.

I’ve been asked for an ‘agricultural cut’: who pays for it?

Fuel cuts are often carried out under agreements (with local authorities, ASA DFCI, PIDAF) which may provide funding or compensation for maintenance — including grazing. Please check with the local council or the joint authority responsible for the mountain range management plan.

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