Fire Risk

Open air burning of green waste by the Departmental Health Regulations (RSD)

The open burning of household green waste is strictly prohibited by Article 84 of the Departmental Health Regulations. This prohibition is valid at all times and in all places.

In fact, cut plants from parks and gardens (green waste) are considered by waste regulations as household waste. (section no. 20-02 of the table in appendix II to article R541-8 of the environmental code which concerns the classification of waste). Mowing waste, dry leaves and pruning of a cypress hedge are affected by this permanent ban.

Exceptions to the Departmental Health Regulations

However, the RSD provides for exceptions to this rule.

The prefectural decree of 31/08/2012 relating to the use of fire provides for an exception to the principle of general prohibition of open burning of green waste. This applies to the burning of green waste resulting from regulatory clearing, as long as no other easily accessible means of eliminating this waste is made available to individuals who are subject to this legal obligation (article 3 of the decree). This decree also regulates the use of fire for owners and their beneficiaries when plant waste is not considered household waste. This is the case for plants cut or burned as part of an agricultural or forestry activity. Compliance with the provisions of the aforementioned decree of 31/08/2012 does not in any way relieve the civil liability of the author of the fire in the event of the fire spreading to other properties.

In any case, the decree strictly prohibits the use of fire in all its forms (and therefore the burning of cut plants as well) between June 15 and September 15 in and near wooded areas within and up to a distance of 200 meters from woods, forests, moors, scrub, scrubland, plantations and reforestation.