With the approach of the hottest months and the period of greatest risk of rural fires, DECO PROteste reminds that the deadline for clearing scrubland and land has been extended until June 30.
Thus, owners have even more weeks to comply with “an obligation that can make a difference in protecting people, homes and property,” the organization notes in a press release. And it reminds that the responsibility for cleaning the land lies primarily with owners, tenants, usufructuaries or entities that hold land adjacent to buildings located in rural areas.
“Non-compliance can lead to intervention by the municipal councils, which have the authority to carry out the works and subsequently charge the corresponding costs to the owners,” it warns.
However, cleaning the land does not mean removing all vegetation. The organization states that this cleaning implies “respect for legally protected species, such as the holm oak or cork oak, among others, integrated in the Natura Network.” In the particular case of these trees, they can only be cut with authorization from the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF).
Trees of public interest also require special protection (for example, some olive trees due to their age), but these are marked with an identification plaque.
If those responsible for the cleaning and forest producers have not done so within the deadline, DECO PROteste stresses, municipal councils should step in for the non-compliers and carry it out.
“In case of non-compliance, the fines are heavy,” warns the organization, adding that, depending on the situation, the amounts can range from 150 to 1,500 euros, in the case of individuals.
In addition to the annual cleaning of the land, DECO PROteste highlights that forest owners in municipalities affected by storm Kristin may benefit from extraordinary support of 1,500 euros per hectare to recover damaged forest areas.
The organization explains that applications can be made until June 29 through an online form, via the Environmental Fund, with an overall amount of about 40 million euros allocated to forest management operations, phytosanitary control and recovery of support infrastructures.
“Every year we witness situations in which many owners do not know their obligations or do not even know exactly where the lands they own are located,” says DECO PROteste.
“This extension of the deadline should be used to regularize pending situations and reduce the fire risk at a particularly critical time of the year.”
Where the lands are located and how to protect them from fires
DECO PROteste reminds that many owners still do not know the exact location of the rural properties they own.
In these cases, the Single Property Window (BUPi) allows identifying and registering lands free of charge, facilitating compliance with legal obligations and property management.
In addition to the mandatory cleaning of the lands, homeowners in rural areas should adopt additional self-protection measures, namely reducing the most flammable vegetation near dwellings; controlling trees and shrubs, removing diseased or weakened specimens; cleaning roofs, gutters and accumulated combustible materials; ensuring unobstructed access to the properties; and having basic firefighting equipment, such as extinguishers.
What to do in case of a fire?
In a fire situation, the priority, says DECO PROteste, should be to follow the authorities’ instructions and immediately contact 112. People can also report lands to be cleaned to the GNR (National Republican Guard), the Municipal Council of the area of residence, or through the channels provided by the competent authorities.
DECO PROteste also recommends daily checking of fire danger levels published by the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA), especially for those who live, work or move around in forest areas during the summer.
