Government calls for clearing of undergrowth by June and launches campaign – updated 03/23/2018
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development are issuing an appeal: “By June, landowners must clear their land within a 50-meter strip around their homes and within 100 meters around their villages.”
What does “fuel management” mean? Fuel management is understood as the reduction of plant and woody material to prevent ignition and hinder the spread of fire vertically (from the herbaceous layer to the undergrowth and from there to the canopy) and horizontally (along the different layers). In short, it means cutting down grass, shrubs, and trees in some areas to minimize the risk of fire.
Does fuel management protect me? – Yes, and to others too. When the fire reaches areas where fuel management has been implemented, it hinders its spread. This practice makes homes, as well as their surroundings, safer and more protected. Fuel management also facilitates accessibility for firefighters and other operators, making their intervention more effective and safe.
Does fuel management protect the forest? In the event of a large fire, this practice is extremely important because it ensures the discontinuity of combustible material, hinders the spread of the fire, and reduces its intensity, thus allowing for greater effectiveness in firefighting. Fuel management along roads also creates better conditions to prevent fire progression and allows access and circulation.
Where to manage fuels? – Fuel management is mandatory within a minimum 50-meter strip around buildings or facilities (housing, construction sites, warehouses, workshops, factories, or other equipment) located in rural or forested areas. This strip is measured from the building's exterior masonry. This year, the deadline for this fuel management is March 15th. In the case of population clusters (10 or more homes), this protection strip extends up to 100 meters.
Who is responsible for fuel management? All owners, lessees, usufructuaries, and entities holding land within the aforementioned areas are required to manage fuel, even if they are not the owners of the buildings. Entities responsible for road, rail, and electrical networks, among others, as well as entities managing industrial areas, campsites, logistics centers, and other infrastructure, are also required to manage fuel.
My house is next to the forest, do I have to cut down all the trees in my garden? Fuel management doesn't mean eliminating all vegetation. A tree, as long as it's pruned and located at a crown distance of 4 meters from other trees and more than 5 meters from the house, can be kept. Highly flammable species should be avoided in the area surrounding the house.
Do I have to cut down fruit trees?
Fruit trees do not need to be cut down if they are located in an agricultural area or garden.
My neighbor didn't clear the land next to my house. The GNR has already issued a traffic violation report. What can I do? – Until May 31, 2018, municipal councils must ensure that all fuel management work is carried out, and must replace non-compliant forest owners and other producers by carrying out fuel management as required by law. Municipal councils will rely on the cooperation of law enforcement to enforce the work required to fully comply with preventive measures.
Next to my house, within the urban perimeter, there's a lot covered in dense brambles, whose owner I don't know. What should I do? – You should alert the appropriate authorities, specifically the City Council, to this situation. You can also call 808 200 520 to report the situation.
I own a pine or eucalyptus forest located next to several houses. What should I do?
-By March 15th, you must cut down pine or eucalyptus trees that are less than 5 meters from houses. Within 50 meters of the houses, the tops of pine or eucalyptus trees must be 10 meters apart, so you may need to cut down some pine or eucalyptus trees.
What if they are different species of pine and eucalyptus?
– By March 15th, you must cut down trees that are less than 5 meters from houses. Within 50 meters of the house, the treetops must be 4 meters apart, so you may need to cut some trees.
I have a well-maintained pine forest, but it's very far from houses and roads. It's a mature pine forest planted with a 2-meter crown spacing. Do I need to cut down the trees? – No. In this case, fuel management is not mandatory.
What if they are other species?
– By March 15th, you must cut down trees that are less than 5 meters from houses. Within 50 meters of the house, the treetops must be 4 meters apart, so you may need to cut some trees.
I have a forest plot adjacent to a population center. When managing fuel, how far away from homes can the first trees be placed?
– Owners, tenants, usufructuaries, or entities that, in any capacity, hold land within the 100-meter strip surrounding the settlement are responsible for fuel management on their land. Trees may not be planted within 5 meters of homes.
My house is located within the forest perimeter, and there's a road on one side. Does the 50m really count after the road?
– Along the road, the road authority must create a fuel management strip of 10 meters or more on each side. Even with the road, fuel management must cover a 50-meter radius, measured from the house.
How should I clear it? Should I just cut the bushes, or do I need to have the soil exposed?
– The tree cover must have the crowns spaced at least 4 meters apart and the base of the crowns at a minimum height of 4 meters, with the exception of pine and eucalyptus trees, where this distance must be 10 meters.
Horizontal discontinuity of fuels must be ensured along the fuel management strips.
Can we cut down all types of trees?
Some trees are legally protected, such as the cork oak and the holm oak. These trees can only be cut with authorization from the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF). It is also important to protect trees of public interest, and we recommend consulting the information available at the following link: http://www2.icnf.pt/portal/florestas/aip
If the trees are only 4.5 meters tall, is it necessary to prune them?
All trees, including pines and eucalyptus, must be pruned to 50 % of their height until they reach 8 m. In this case, trees must be pruned to a height of two meters and 25 centimeters, measured from the ground.
Should I clear the canopy 4m above the ground regardless of the species?
Yes. If the tree is less than eight meters tall, just clear half of it.
Who should I contact in case of non-compliance by the offender?
You should alert the appropriate authorities, namely the GNR (National Republican Guard) and the City Council, to this situation. You can also call 808 200 520 or visit http://www.gnr.pt/ambiente.aspx to report the situation.
And in cities, what is the distance from the base of the tree to the building? Isn't the law for cities?
The law applies to rural and forested areas, including those bordering urban areas. Therefore, it is important to always ensure a 100-meter buffer zone around population centers. Areas at the interface between forests and urban areas are at high risk, and fuel management is essential.
There's a yard full of fuel and other flammable materials near my house, which is close to the forest. What should I do? – It is prohibited to accumulate firewood, timber, or leftovers from forestry or agricultural exploitation near buildings.
Source: Agriculture and Sea Current/ https://www.portugal.gov.pt/pt/gc21/comunicacao/noticia?i=campanha-de-limpeza-do-mato/ https://www.facebook.com/PTsemfogos/
