Brush your land now to avoid summer fires

On 15 November 2023, the Government launched an interdepartmental information campaign to remind the public of the legal requirements for clearing brush and the importance of taking action in the autumn to reduce the risk of summer fires.

Clearing brush consists in reducing the mass of plant materials of all kinds (grasses, branches, leaves...) on a field. The aim is to create discontinuities between:

• high vegetation (shrubs and trees) and low vegetation (herbs, plants...);
• plants of the same size;
• plants and buildings.

These discontinuities make it possible to reduce the risk of fire and, in the event of a fire, to slow down its propagation and reduce its intensity. The further away a tree is from a dwelling or other tree, the more difficult it is for the fire to spread; and, generally, the less combustible material is present, the less powerful the fire will be.

In some areas particularly exposed to the risk of forest fires, brush clearing is compulsory or face an administrative or even criminal penalty. Even if your land is not subject to the legal requirement to clear brush, it is still recommended if your home is close to a wooded area. Brush clearing is one way to protect your home. In case of fire, you can stay there for the necessary time without endangering yourself by taking your car for example.

How to clear your land?

To properly clear brush from your land, you need to:

• remove shrubs under trees;
• cut branches or trees in contact with your home;
• reduce the mass of plants on the ground;
• trimming your hedges;
• pruning the lower branches of trees;
• do not store green waste from brush clearing.

Clearing must be carried out every year. It is recommended that tree and shrub cutting be carried out during the winter; operations on low vegetation can be carried out until late spring. You can also hire a professional who has the necessary knowledge and tools.