it’s time to clear brush to protect yourself from fires

With the arrival of autumn, the Aveyron prefecture reminds that it is the time to clear your land and your garden, within the framework of the Legal Clearing Obligations (OLD) to secure homes and forest areas facing to the risk of fire. A national awareness campaign, active until December 15, is encouraging residents to clear their land to limit the dangers.

Now is the time to anticipate the various fire risks. As autumn sets in and winter approaches, the Aveyron prefecture is participating in the national awareness campaign Legal Clearing Obligations (OLD). This aims to inform residents of the different actions to be taken to secure homes and forest areas against the risks of fire and their spread. Thus, the Aveyron prefecture reminds that it is time to clear brush to prevent fires.

The high fire risk in Aveyron

For several years, fires have regularly ravaged regions of Europe, and France has not been spared. In 2022, Aveyron was hit hard by the Mostuéjouls fire, which destroyed 1,300 hectares of forest. To face these risks, 91 municipalities in the department, particularly in the South and West, are now subject to strict OLDs. These measures aim to limit the risk of fire by creating a safety zone around homes, infrastructure, and access routes.

Clearing brush is the first line of defense against the spread of wildfires. Data communicated by the prefecture show that 90% of the houses destroyed by the fires were poorly cleared or not at all cleared. By eliminating excessive vegetation, this creates a discontinuity which slows down the fire, thus making it possible to protect homes, biodiversity and facilitate the intervention of firefighters. This process, although sometimes restrictive, is essential to reduce risks in areas exposed to fire.

Clearing brush does not only mean cleaning around your home, but also adopting nine specific actions to guarantee optimal protection according to the Aveyron prefecture:

1. Cut bushes and low vegetation.
2. Prune branches in contact with the house or too close.
3. Prune retained trees to prevent fire connections.
4. Remove shrubs under trees to limit vertical spread.
5. Keep hedges away and avoid plant mulch near buildings.
6. Clean the gutters, especially of leaves and pine needles.
7. Keep supplies of wood and other fuels away from the house.
8. Eliminate plant residues and manage them safely.

These measures, simple to apply, provide a safety belt around homes in the event of a forest fire. Beyond personal protection, this helps preserve the environment and the department’s natural resources.

In Aveyron, respecting the OLD is not only a protective measure, but also a legal obligation. The prefecture reminds that non-compliance with these directives exposes owners to sanctions, both for their own safety and that of the community. Local authorities are empowered to carry out checks and impose fines on violators, particularly in areas most vulnerable to fires.