Monday, March 17, 2008 - 08:00h

Ban on lighting fires in forests comes into force

In case of fire call 112
This year people with permits to light fires will receive SMS warnings when fires may not be lit due to the risk of forest fires

From 15 March to 15 October it is forbidden to light any fire in forestry areas. The purpose of this ban, which dates from Decree 64/1995, is to prevent forest fires:

• It is forbidden to light fires for any purpose in forestry areas, whether wooded or not, or within a strip of 500 metres all round the area.

• In particular, it is forbidden to burn waste from pruning, forestry or agricultural exploitation, gardens or forest margins. Recreational fires and those related to beekeeping are also banned.

• Within recreation and camping areas and the gardens of housing estates, fires may only be lit if a brick-built barbecue with a spark guard is used.

• It is prohibited to dump burning objects; to dump rubbish and any type of plant or industrial waste that could cause fires; to launch rockets, fireworks or other objects that involve fire; and to use blowtorches or similar tools in works on roads that cross forestry areas.

If weather conditions indicate high, very high or extreme levels of risk, the Department of the Environment and Housing may put extraordinary measures in place and ban the lighting of any type of fire.

In the event that it is prohibited to light fires, the Ranger Corps will inform, via SMS, all those people who have permits to light fires.