Published at December, 12 2023
Updated on June, 10 2025
Be wildfire smart – act fast, act right!
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The Ministry of the Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, Marine Affairs and Fisheries, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, are updating the annual public awareness and prevention campaign about wildfires. Better safety practices can save lives.
Public awareness campaign poster
Image transcription : Act right: stub your cigarette in an ashtray
9 out of 10 wildfires are caused by human activity.
Act right: stub your cigarette in an ashtray.
Image transcription : Act right: DIY work far enough from vegetation
9 out of 10 wildfires are caused by human activity.
Act right: DIY work far enough from vegetation.
Image transcription : Act right: make your barbecues away from vegetation
9 out of 10 wildfires are caused by human activity
Act right: make your barbecues away from vegetation.
Image transcription : Act right: store wood and gas bottles in a shed away from your house
9 out of 10 wildfires are caused by human activity
Act right: store wood and gas bottles in a shed away from your house
Understanding nature-related risks and how to stay safe
With its 17,5 million of hectares of forest (43.2 million acres) in Metropolitan France and Corsica, the country has one of the largest forest cover in Europe. Its vast wooded areas make France prone to wildfires, especially in the summer season.
What to do in case of a fire outbreak
Raise the alarm
If you notice a fire outbreak, alert emergency services by calling 112 (European emergency number), 18 (firefighters) or 114 (for the hard of hearing) and try to locate the fire from a safe distance.
Protect yourself
Take shelter in a cleared property until the intervention of the emergency services. No car can be considered as a safe place because it may catch fire easily.
Stay informed
Stay up-to-date with the situation and follow the instructions provided by the emergency services or city council.
How to prevent fire outbreaks
Fire and barbecue
Hold barbecues on the terrace of your property, far away from vegetation.
Cigarette butts
Stub your cigarettes in an ashtray.
Sparks from work tools
Carry out DIY work far enough from the lawn and dry grass and keep a fire extinguisher nearby, just in case.
How to protect yourself at home in case of fire
Garden hose
Store the garden hose indoors before the fire reaches your property. You may need it to extinguish the smoldering embers once the fire has died down.
Ventilation
Block air vents and cover door gaps to prevent toxic smoke and sparks from entering your home.
Damp cloth
Cover your nose and mouth with a damp cloth to protect yourself from the smoke.
Preventive actions to protect your home
Fuel
Store flammable materials and substances (wood, gas cylinders) in a shed away from your house.
Ground clearing
Before the summer, clear the area all around your house, cutting back low vegetation and trimming trees to keep some space between them. The aim is to prevent the fire from reaching your house, which is mandatory in fire risk areas.
House design
If you live in an area regulated by a Forest Fire Risk Prevention Plan, make sure your house meets safety standards (shutters, gutters, roofing, ventilation, etc.).
90% of homes destroyed in wildfires either lack proper brush clearance or have it done inadequately
Whether you are a homeowner or an elected official, this page provides all the information you need to understand the clearing legal obligations and offers practical guidance on how to effectively carry out clearing on your property.
Where to find information about fire risks in your area
The Georisques platform enables you to stay informed about fire risks in your area.
Since June 2023, Météo-France has been broadcasting forest weather forecasts to assess fire danger level in France and Corsica. This information is based on the forecast of several meteorological data that strongly influence the outbreak and spread of fire: rain, air humidity, temperature, wind speed and vegetation dryness level.
Every late afternoon, the Forest weather forecast for the next two days is available on the meteofrance.com website and on Météo-France mobile app in the form of two maps, one for the next day, the other for the day after. Fire danger levels are indicated for each department through a four-tier, color-coded system: low (green), moderate (yellow), high (red), and very high.
Forest weather forecasts do not provide information about current or upcoming fires.
