Mandatory Fuel Reduction Zones and Obligations in French Fire-Prone Areas

Landowners in French high-risk fire departments must clear vegetation within 50 m of buildings and 10 m on either side of access roads by 1 July each year to reduce fire risk. This legal obligation, known as OLD, is enforced by communes through inspections and fines. Technical guidelines are published in the Local Urban Plan. Neighbors must be informed, and permission is required to work on adjacent land; if denied, the neighbor is responsible. Online tools like OUDÈBROUSSAILLER.FR and Géoportail map responsibility zones, display drought and fire data, and provide cadastral details for cost estimation. These tools support fire management planning at all administrative levels.