Brush cutting
Your obligations :
Article 33 of forest law* defines brush cutting as “an operation which has the objective of reducing the intensity and limiting the spread of fires by reducing combustable vegetation ensuring a fire break”. It also covers maintenance, prunning and the removal of all cuttings".
In case of non-compliance, you risk sanctions in the form of a fine which may be as high as 1500 Euros.
The planning document in place in your commune, stipulates the areas to be cleared (Article L 322-3 of the Forest Code).
Spaces to be cleared :
The obligation to clear concerns properties located in the woods, forests, scub, scubland, wooded plantations or those which are within 200 meters of this type of vegetation.
Your entire property, even in the absence of any construction, must be cleared, without forgetting the 50-meter perimeter around buildings, where it would encroach on a non-urban area.
Pruning :
All existing trees should be pruned.
This recommendation applies both to dry and green branches.
Cutting the lower branches prevents a fire which is travelling along the ground, from gaining the upper branches.
Felling :
When choosing which trees to cut down, the priority is to choose which are the most dangerous or those situated too close to buildings , where branches risk helping a fire spreading to the roof.
This is a regulated distance between large trees .