Barbecue near woodland: why 30 metres can be an offence

Guy, 71, had just placed the grill rack on his small folding barbecue. Outside his motorhome, parked in a quiet stopping area, the smell of spicy sausages was beginning to mingle with that of pine trees warmed by the sun. About 30 metres away, the woodland edge looked calm, almost harmless. There was no municipal sign in sight, no warning tape and no neighbour to complain. Yet this ordinary act could prove costly. The ban on lighting fires near woodland is not always set by the local council: in many departments, it is established by prefectural order. During the summer, the rules can become stricter within hours. Sometimes, one flame is all it takes.

At 30 metres from woodland, a barbecue can become an offence

We all know the feeling of believing we have found the ideal spot: a little shade, a folding table, the motorhome levelled properly and nobody nearby. Guy had made exactly that calculation, with no ill intent. To him, his barbecue was not comparable to a campfire, let alone a danger. However, close to woodland, a forest or even an area of dry scrub, regulations can apply broadly to naked flames, embers and cooking equipment.

In several French departments vulnerable to wildfires, prefectural orders prohibit the use of fire in woods, forests, plantations and heathland, as well as within a surrounding distance that can extend to 200 metres. Guy's 30 metres therefore do not protect him; on the contrary, they place him in a sensitive area. The rule may apply to landowners, walkers, campers and van travellers alike. Fire does not check the local council boundary before spreading.

What often confuses holidaymakers is the lack of visible signs. A town hall may permit parking in a stopping area, yet it has no authority to override an order issued by the prefecture to prevent fires. The council manages its area day to day; the prefect can impose wider restrictions, particularly during drought or high winds. Let us be honest: nobody instinctively looks up official orders before taking out the barbecue tongs. Yet that is precisely what can make the difference between a peaceful lunch and being fined.

What campers should check before lighting the coals

The simplest habit is to search the website of the prefecture for the department where you are parked. The relevant sections are often called “fire prevention”, “use of fire”, “natural hazards” or “forest fires”. Some departments also publish a daily wildfire-risk map, using colours and guidance that can change. Before lighting anything, Guy could have checked in two minutes whether the stopping area lay within the relevant zone. A weather app is not always enough.

A common misconception is that a gas barbecue is automatically permitted because it produces neither charcoal nor substantial embers. That can be true, but not everywhere or at all times. Some orders distinguish between different appliances; others ban any device capable of producing a flame or spark. An electric barbecue may be an alternative in certain situations, provided there is a suitable power supply and the site's rules are observed. The kind of barbecue matters, but local conditions matter more.

If there is still any uncertainty, it is better to opt for a cold meal or ask the tourist office, town hall or stopping-area manager directly. This does not mean giving up on the holiday; it means avoiding an unpleasant surprise that could spoil an entire stop.

“During periods of risk, a spark carried by the wind can be enough to start a fire,” departmental fire and rescue services regularly remind people.

• Check the prefectural order currently in force in the department;
• Establish the distance between the parking spot and dry vegetation;
• Avoid all flames on hot, windy days;
• Plan a meal option that requires no outdoor cooking.

A rule that goes beyond the usual Sunday barbecue

Guy's situation says something very practical about our travel habits. When travelling by motorhome, we enjoy the sense of freedom: stopping near a village, putting up the awning, cooking something simple and watching evening fall. That freedom remains, but it coexists with a landscape made more vulnerable by drought and summer fires. A poorly positioned barbecue is not necessarily evidence of deliberate carelessness. More often, it highlights a little-known rule that is discovered too late.

The penalty depends on the circumstances, the applicable order and the seriousness of the incident. A fine may be issued, especially where instructions are clearly laid down or the risk is high. Should a fire start, the consequences immediately become far more serious: emergency-service intervention, property damage, civil liability and, in some cases, criminal proceedings. The real issue is not just the fine. It is how quickly an ordinary afternoon can change when the grass is dry and the wind gets up.

There is also an element of common sense that no sign can fully convey. Cracked ground, pine needles underfoot, the smell of dry vegetation and gusts shaking the branches: each of these should give anyone pause before lighting even a single burner. After speaking to a passing officer, Guy packed away his barbecue. He brought out bread, cheese and tomatoes instead. It was not the meal he had planned, but nobody needed to call the fire brigade.

Key point	Detail	Benefit for the reader
The local council does not always have the final say	A prefectural order can prohibit fire close to wooded areas	Prevents reliance solely on local signs or the lack of a visible ban
30 metres can be enough to fall within the rules	Depending on the department, bans can sometimes extend up to 200 metres around woodland	Makes it easier to assess the risk before setting up a barbecue
Rules change with the weather	Drought, wind and the alert level can tighten restrictions	Helps you adapt your meal and route without an unwelcome surprise