As spring approaches, the authorities are launching a vast awareness-raising operation about Legal Clearing Obligations (OLD). Morning guest on Maritima Radio, Lieutenant-Colonel Xavier Joseph, head of the natural risks and forest fires group, recalls the urgency of acting now to avoid tragedies this summer.
In Bouches-du-Rhône, the fight against fires does not begin with the first outbreaks of fire, but with the brush cutter. Yesterday, a demonstration day was held in Velaux in the presence of the Prefect to remind people of a golden rule: clearing brush is not an option, it is an obligation of public safety.
250,000 homes directly threatened in “13”
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The figure is colossal: more than 250,000 housing units in the department are located in areas potentially exposed to forest fires. For Lieutenant-Colonel Xavier Joseph, the administrative jargon of the “OLD” hides a vital reality. “These are provisions that allow you to protect your family and protect your home when a forest fire approaches your home”hammer-t-t-t-t-th au of Gesaldi Dider.
The 50 meter rule: who should do what?
The regulations impose a protection perimeter of 50 meters around homes. While responsibility lies primarily with the owner of the plot, it can sometimes be transferred to the tenant depending on the terms of the lease.
A headache for some? Not necessarily. “Town halls can have detailed maps available to know who should do which part”specifies the lieutenant-colonel. Concerning the realization, everyone is free to do it themselves, but caution remains essential: “For tree felling, this work can be dangerous. Professionals are competent for this. »
Fines, courts, insurance: what are the risks if we forget?
Failure to clear brush means exposing yourself to heavy sanctions, ranging from fines to the automatic execution of the work by the town hall at the expense of the owner. “This can go as far as fines calculated per square meter not cleared”warns the SDIS 13 expert.
Even more serious, in the event of a disaster, the bill can be hefty: “This is something that can be ruled out by an insurer to find out if the house was protected and if the rules were respected. »
Help the firefighters put out the fire rather than defend the walls
Beyond individual protection, well-maintained terrain is a game-changer for emergency relief. “The more the houses are self-protected, the least we have resources to use to protect them. At most our means can then be used to put out the fire”explains Xavier Joseph. Clearly, a well-cleared house allows firefighters to concentrate on extinguishing the flame front rather than being immobilized to defend a building.
The calendar: it’s now or never
If the rain has been falling generously in Provence since January, it should not make us forget that the risk changes in the blink of an eye. “The year 2025 showed us that despite a rainy spring, everything can change in 15 days of heatwave. It is too early to say about the summer, but the current rains are beneficial for the water tables and soils”concludes the lieutenant-colonel.
The regulations were updated in October 2025: the technical rules are now well established. Residents of Bouches-du-Rhône, you have until the arrival of hot weather to comply.
🎧 Listen here to the full interview with Lieutenant-Colonel Xavier Joseph on Didier Gesualdi’s microphone (replay available for one week)
Find the editorial guest on maritima radio from Monday to Friday at 8:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. on Didier Gesualdi’s microphone
Read also. Forest fires: “90% of destroyed houses were not cleared”, the urgent call to clear your land this winter
date: 2026-02-10 08:45:00
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