Rural agents warn about the prevention of forest fires
The Rural Agents emphasize the importance of having clean forest perimeter strips around housing estates and isolated houses to prevent the spread of forest fires and protect people’s lives. These strips make it possible to reduce the violence of the fire and facilitate the action of the fire brigade in case of extinction.
Non-compliance with regulations and inspections carried out
The Rural Agents admit that in many cases neither the owners nor the councils comply with the regulations that establish that in a radius of 25 meters around the property the surface must be in good condition. In the last two years, around a hundred inspections have been carried out at housing estates and farms in the Tarragona region (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/) .
Liability of owners and possible penalties
The owners are responsible for keeping the plot in good condition, regardless of whether it is built on or not. In the case of the perimeter strips, it is often the communities of the urbanizations or the town councils themselves that are responsible for cleaning the trees and undergrowth. Fines for non-compliance with the regulations can range from 601 to 10,000 euros, as it is considered a serious infringement (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/).
Examples of different situations
An example where these tasks should be carried out is the Mas Romeu development, in Calafell, where the second residences are built on a hill in the middle of the forest, making it difficult to contain a possible fire. On the other hand, the Baronia de Mar development, in Bellvei, has carried out an adequate cleaning of the perimeter, maintaining a distance between the trees and conserving native species in the undergrowth, which has proven to be effective in protecting the homes.
Social awareness and investment in prevention
The Rural Agents emphasize that there is more and more social awareness of the importance of keeping the perimeter strips of forest clean, but they regret that the lack of interventions in this regard is often related to economic issues. However, they consider it a necessary investment to avoid damage and tragedies, especially in the case of developments with a single entrance and exit that could be blocked in the event of a fire.
