Fire prevention

Learn about the danger of fires with forest weather

Publié le 18 juillet 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

While fires are raging again this summer in France, the forest weather, proposed by Météo France, informs you about the level of fire danger in your department.

The forest weather forecast, a system set up by Météo France since 2023, is renewed for the summer of 2025 from 3 june to 30 september.

It offers simplified departmental information designed to raise public awareness of the risks of fires and anticipate good reflexes.

9 out of 10 fires are human-caused and most are triggered by recklessness.

The forest weather is available on the website of Weather France (in the menu at the top right) or on the mobile application. It proposes a map which specifies the fire hazard level by department for the next day and the day after.

This hazard level is indicated on a risk scale of four easily identifiable colors:

  • Green risk: low.
  • Yellow risk: moderate.
  • Orange risk: high.
  • Red risk: very high.

Please note

Forest weather is derived from observations and forecasts of several meteorological parameters (temperature, rain, wind force, air humidity) and vegetation drought status.

Reminder of good gestures to avoid fires

  • Fire and barbecue : I organize barbecues at home, on a terrace and away from the vegetation that can ignite.
  • Cigarette and butt : I throw my butts in an ashtray. I don't smoke in the forest.
  • Works and sparks : I carry out my work far from the lawn and dry grass and I provide a fire extinguisher at hand in case of fire.
  • Storage of fuels : I store flammable materials and products (wood, gas cylinders) in a closed shelter, away from my home.
  • Brush clearing : before the summer, i clear brush around my house: i cut the low vegetation and prune the trees so that they do not touch.

What to do if fires start?

Alert

Witnessing the start of a fire, I give the alert by calling 112, 18 or 114 (people with hearing loss) and I try to locate the fire.

Protect yourself

I take shelter in a cleared house while waiting for the intervention of the rescue. The car is not a safe shelter because it could burn.

Get informed

I remain informed of the situation and comply with the instructions of the emergency services or the town hall.

Reminder

If you witness an outbreak of fire, notify the 18 (firefighters), the 112 (European call number) or 114 (emergency number for deaf or hard of hearing people) and locate the start of fire by indicating the address (or if possible, use geolocation by means of a mobile phone).

Warning  

Forest weather does not provide information on ongoing or future fires.

When the risk of fire is high, prefectures may restrict or even prohibit access to areas exposed to vehicles and pedestrians. Barbecues, fireworks or any use of fire may be prohibited. Spark-generating and agricultural and forestry work may be regulated or even prohibited.

Failure to comply with the prevention instructions issued by the public authorities exposes you to a fine of 4e class of an amount of 750 €. Find out more on the website of your prefecture or town hall.

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