November 2025

Noticed a few ‘controlled’ fires around the region recently?

Ecobuage is a type of controlled  burning process, a way of fertilising the fields by burning the grass on an annual basis during the cooler months. It has many advantages – it is a quicker and easier way to clear away brush-land and other unwanted vegetation and the ashes are beneficial to the soil – but if  not carried out in secure conditions, it can easily spread, causing fire. In some areas.

It can also stimulate the germination of certain desirable forest trees,

Despite lower temperatures, rain, and storms, firemen are still called out several times to deal with winter fires, mainly caused by ‘écobuages’ gone wrong.

Écobuage is strictly regulated.
You usually must declare the burn in advance, or obtain authorization.
Conditions include: waiting for the correct weather (low wind, good humidity), adequate supervision, firebreak creation, firefighting equipment on-site.

Unauthorized or poorly managed écobuage can lead to fines or criminal charges.