Before the fire

Barbecues, cigarettes, DIY : avoid that one spark too many

Three situations alone account for a large proportion of summer fires: Sunday barbecues, cigarette breaks and weekend DIY projects. For each of these: what the regulations say, the distances that matter, and alternatives on high-risk days.

Check alertness The full regulations

4-minute read Content verified — July 2026

Key points

Barbecues: only on a designated barbecue area or on private land, on a hard surface, at least 5 metres from any vegetation, with water within easy reach.
On days when an orange or red fire alert is in force: please postpone wood-fired barbecues AND any work that may produce sparks.
Cigarette butt: always use an ashtray. A cigarette butt remains red-hot for several minutes.
Angle grinder, grinder, brush cutter : in the morning, clear the area, have a fire extinguisher or hose ready, and stay on site for 1 hour after finishing.
In mountain ranges and within 200 metres: it is forbidden for anyone other than the landowner to carry or light a fire (Forest Code).

Barbecuing: where, when, how

There is no national legislation prohibiting barbecuing at home — but there are three layers of regulations: the Forestry Code (which prohibits non-landowners from lighting fires in and near woodland), the prefectural decrees seasonal rules, and sometimes local by-laws or campsite regulations. In practice:

Location : hard surface (paving slabs, gravel), at least 5 metres from any vegetation and the façade; never under a tree or against a hedge. A sturdy barbecue, sheltered from the wind.
Whilst cooking : Never leave a barbecue unattended; keep a garden hose unrolled or a 10-litre bucket within easy reach.
After : embers doused with water, stirred, then doused again. The ashes are thrown in the bin cold (24 hours later), never in the garden.
High-risk days : if the Forest weather If the alert level in your department is orange or red, switch to gas or electricity — or postpone your plans. Some prefectural decrees then prohibit all outdoor cooking fires, including at home.
On a picnic : Unauthorised barbecues are prohibited in, and within 200 metres of, woods and forests. Please use only the designated and authorised areas — unless these are themselves closed by official order (see access to the mountain ranges).

Cigarettes: a reflex action

We have set this out in detail in Good habits for everyday life : car ashtray, pocket ashtray, extinguishing with water. Let’s also consider the case of smokers out on a hike : smoking isn’t strictly prohibited everywhere, but In mountain ranges classified as high-risk, prefectural decrees very often ban it during the season, and dropping a cigarette butt there is still an offence. The simplest thing is this: don’t smoke in the forest in summer – full stop.

Work involving sparks

A disc cutter on a gate, a grinder, a welding machine, a brush cutter with a blade that strikes a stone: every summer, ‘Saturday DIY projects’ cause dozens of fires, often just a few metres from the home of the person carrying out the work. The safe way to do it:

Choosing your niche

Early in the morning (before 10.00), in calm, damp weather if possible. Never in strong winds, never when an orange or red weather warning is in force — on such days, prefectural orders often suspend this work anyway.

Prepare the area

Clear a 5-metre radius around the workstation (keep grass short, remove any dead leaves); use a spark-proof screen or tarpaulin if cutting near vegetation.

Planning for the end

A fire extinguisher, a filled spray bottle or a pressurised hose within 10 metres. A fire that is put out within 30 seconds is still considered an incident; after 5 minutes, it is a matter for the fire brigade.

Monitoring after the event

A spark may smoulder in the litter. Stay where you are or check back regularly for the hour following the end of the work.

If, despite everything, a fire does break out: Only attempt to put out the fire immediately if it is in its early stages (less than 1 m) and you can safely get to safety. Otherwise, move away and call the 112 without delay. Every minute counts — and then report the fire to alert local residents.

What if I’m the one who started a fire?

Unintentionally causing a fire is not simply an ‘ accident ’: it is a criminal offence where there is gross negligence (Article 322-5 of the Criminal Code — up to 1 year’s imprisonment and a fine of 15 €15,000, or more if the fire has serious consequences, and up to 10 years’ imprisonment in the event of a fatality). Added to this is civil liability — insurers and local authorities will seek compensation from the person responsible — and, in OLD zones where undergrowth has not been cleared, an unfavourable apportionment of liability. Prevention is always cheaper.

At home, not as a matter of principle — but prefectural orders may ban all outdoor cooking fires on days when the risk is very high, and campsite rules are often stricter. In woodland and within 200 metres of it, fires are prohibited for non-landowners all year round. Check the current fire risk level and the regulations for your department.

Yes, for routine maintenance, early in the morning, in calm weather — unless prohibited by the prefectural authorities on days when the risk is very high. The metal blade cutting through stone is the main source of sparks: opt for nylon line when working near stony areas.

No. Within 200 metres of woods and forests, it is forbidden for anyone other than the landowner to light a fire (Article L131-1 of the Forestry Code). The few exceptions are limited to designated areas that have been expressly authorised.

The risk changes every day. So do your reflexes.

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