# Rural wildfires and your roof: protecting the house and what the law requires

> How embers set roofs and gutters alight, the fuel management strip the law requires around houses, the 2026 deadlines and fines, what BROOF means, what to do before the summer and when a fire approaches.

- Page: https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/guides/wildfire-roof-protect-house
- Language: English
- Updated: 2026-11-05

## Summary

- According to the ANEPC, a house can burn without the fire reaching it: embers land on roofs and gutters with leaves, pine needles or moss and get in through openings.
- Decreto-Lei n.º 82/2021 requires whoever holds land less than 50 m from houses to manage the fuel in a 50 m strip (forest land) or 10 m (farmland).
- In 2026, with the municipal plans in force until 31 December, the duties and fines of the 2006 law apply: €140 to €5,000 for individuals.
- Before the summer: clean roof and gutters, 2 m with no vegetation by the walls, crowns 5 m from the house, firewood and gas away. Confirm the width and deadline with the Câmara.

In a rural wildfire, many houses burn without the flames ever reaching them. One ember carried by the wind landing in a gutter full of pine needles is enough. This guide explains how fire gets in, what the law requires around houses, the 2026 deadlines and fines, and what to do before the summer and when a fire is approaching.

*Updated on 4 November 2026. General information, not legal advice or a fire safety design.*

## The essentials

- **Embers are the hidden danger.** According to the ANEPC, a house can burn without the fire reaching it.
- **Keep the roof and gutters clear** of leaves, pine needles, twigs and moss. Fit the chimney with a fine spark-arrester mesh.
- **The law requires a 50 m strip** around houses on forest land (10 m on farmland), to be managed by whoever holds the land.
- **2026 is a transition year:** the duties and fines of the 2006 law still apply. Ask the Câmara.
- **No measure guarantees the house comes through intact.** The ANEPC's document on building says the same.

## How fire reaches the roof

The ANEPC guide «Aldeia Segura, Pessoas Seguras» (2018) explains that a building can catch fire without the fire reaching it, because of the embers the wind carries far. It names these weak points:

- **roofs, valley gutters (algerozes), parapets and corners** with dry leaves, pine needles, twigs or moss;
- **chimneys without a fine mesh** to stop sparks;
- **openings** such as ventilation grilles, which it says to close when a fire approaches;
- **firewood, tarpaulins and garden furniture** against the house or on porches.

The same guide prefers roofs of non-combustible material (it gives tiles, slate or cement as examples).

## What the law requires around the house

Decreto-Lei n.º 82/2021 created the Integrated Rural Fire Management System (SGIFR). Article 49(7) requires whoever holds land (owner, tenant, usufructuary or other) **less than 50 m from buildings used as homes or for economic activities** to manage the fuel in a strip of **50 m**, measured from the outer masonry, on forest land, or of **10 m** on farmland.

It does not apply to annexes (paragraph 8). Around built-up areas next to forest, the standard strip is 100 m (paragraph 6). The sub-regional programme may change the widths by up to 50% (paragraph 2). If nobody complies, the Câmara does the work and charges the cost (article 58).

Since 1 January 2026, the technical rules are in the ICNF regulation approved by Despacho n.º 675/2026 (article 14):

| Zone | What the regulation requires |
|---|---|
| 0 to 2 m from the walls | no vegetation or leaf litter; where possible, a non-flammable strip. Also around annexes, porches and pergolas |
| 2 to 10 m | remove or thin trees and shrubs; more than 4 m between crowns |
| From 10 m to the edge of the strip | trees pruned up (50% of their height up to 8 m; after that, at least 4 m above the ground); low, broken-up scrub |
| The whole strip | crowns at least 5 m from the house and no branches over the roof; no firewood or forestry waste unless enclosed; avoid hedges |

In areas of very low to medium hazard, the strip around houses may go down to 30 m, by decision of the sub-regional commission (article 8).

## Deadlines and fines in 2026

Decreto-Lei n.º 86/2026 kept the municipal forest fire defence plans (PMDFCI) in force until 31 December 2026. While they apply, article 79(4) of Decreto-Lei n.º 82/2021 says the duties and fines of Decreto-Lei n.º 124/2006 apply:

- a strip of **at least 50 m** with forest, scrub or natural pasture; 10 to 50 m, as set in the PMDFCI, for other land uses (article 15(2));
- a fine of **€140 to €5,000** for individuals and **€1,500 to €60,000** for companies (article 38).

According to the Câmara of Palmela, Despacho n.º 3440/2026 set the end of the 2026 works for **31 May**, and **30 June** in municipalities under a state of calamity.

Outside this transitional regime, Decreto-Lei n.º 82/2021 treats a missing strip as a **minor** offence and, since Lei n.º 18/2026, refers the fine to the Framework Law on Environmental Offences. In the version we read, a minor offence by an individual costs €200 to €2,000 (negligence) and €400 to €4,000 (intent).

**In practice:** ask the Câmara, in writing, which rules it applies, which width applies to your land and what the 2027 deadline is.

## BROOF and Euroclasses

- **Reaction to fire (EN 13501-1):** classes A1 to F for construction products. See the [sandwich panel guide](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/guides/sandwich-panel-roof).
- **External fire on roofs (EN 13501-5):** measures how a roof stands up to a fire from outside. According to the ANEPC, there are four test methods (t1 to t4), with flame, wind and radiant heat in different combinations. **There is no ranking between methods**: BROOF(t1) and BROOF(t3) cannot be compared. The letter F means performance not determined.

Article 61 requires measures for the building's resistance to the passage of fire in new building, extension and reconstruction work on rural land outside rural settlements, on forest land or less than 50 m from it. They are in ANEPC Despacho n.º 8591/2022 and go into the fire safety design. They depend on the distance to vegetation and on an exposure class. **We did not read the tables of the despacho.** If you are replacing the roof covering, ask for the declaration of performance with the external fire class and see the [tile types](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/guides/roof-tiles-by-climate).

## Before the summer

1. **Clean the gutters and the roof** (see [gutter cleaning](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/roof-cleaning/gutters) and [roof cleaning](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/roof-cleaning)). Do not go up without protection: it is [work at height](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/guides/work-at-height-roof).
2. **Cut branches** over the roof and keep crowns 5 m from the house.
3. **Clear 2 m** around the walls, annexes and porches.
4. **Move firewood, tarpaulins and gas bottles** away from the house.
5. **Check the chimney mesh** and the grilles (see [chimneys and flashings](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/guides/chimney-flashing-roof-joins)).
6. **Have broken tiles and gaps at the eaves checked.**
7. **Confirm with the Câmara** the width and the deadline.
8. **Review your insurance** (see the [insurance guide](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/guides/home-insurance-storm-roof)). For people building on rural land, article 62 points to fire insurance.

## If the fire approaches

AGIF and the ANEPC advise, if you stay at home and it is safe:

- warn the neighbours; in an emergency, call 112;
- wet the walls, the roof and 10 m around the house (from the ground, without climbing onto the roof);
- close doors, windows, shutters and ventilation grilles, and put wet towels in the gaps;
- move furniture, tarpaulins and firewood away from the house and turn off the gas;
- move curtains and sofas away from the windows and stay away from the walls;
- once the fire has passed, look for hot spots around the house and on the roof.

If you leave, close doors and windows as you go and do not turn back. Follow the authorities. Afterwards, see [the first 48 hours](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/guides/damaged-roof-first-48-hours).

## What we could not confirm

- **The Diário da República** would not open on 4 November 2026. We read copies of the official text (municipalities, the Lisbon Regional Prosecutor's Office, FAOLEX).
- **The 2027 deadline** and whether the PMDFCI will be extended again.
- **How each Câmara combines, in 2026, the ICNF regulation and the 2006 law.** Palmela published older criteria (4 m between crowns, 10 m for maritime pine and eucalyptus) and fines of up to €5,000 and €25,000, which do not match the texts we read.
- **Whether Lei n.º 18/2026 changed the amounts** in the Framework Law (we read the 2019 version).
- **The BROOF class required** by Despacho n.º 8591/2022.
- **The list in Decision 2000/553/EC** (roof coverings accepted without testing): the table is an image and we did not read it.
- **Meshes for grilles and eaves**, gaps under the tiles and [solar panels](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/guides/solar-panels-on-roof-what-to-check): we found no official Portuguese guide.

## Sources (read on 4 November 2026)

- Decreto-Lei n.º 82/2021, of 13 October, [text published in the Diário da República (FAOLEX copy)](https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/por205598.pdf), articles 47, 49, 58, 60 to 62, 72 and 79.
- Lisbon Regional Prosecutor's Office, [Decreto-Lei n.º 82/2021, updated version](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=3453&tabela=leis&so_miolo=) (9th version, Lei n.º 18/2026), articles 49, 61, 72 and 79.
- Decreto-Lei n.º 86/2026, of 15 April, [copy on the Câmara of Ílhavo website](https://www.cm-ilhavo.pt/cmilhavo2020/uploads/document/file/10134/decreto_lei_n_o_862026__de_15_de_abril.pdf).
- Despacho n.º 675/2026, [ICNF regulation (copy on the Câmara of Ílhavo website)](https://www.cm-ilhavo.pt/cmilhavo2020/uploads/document/file/10066/despacho_675_2026.pdf), articles 8 and 14.
- Decreto-Lei n.º 124/2006, [consolidated version of 23 January 2019 (copy on the Câmara of Sousel website)](https://cm-sousel.pt/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/5217_dl_124_2006_28_jun_verso_consolidada.pdf), articles 15 and 38.
- Lei n.º 50/2006, [Framework Law on Environmental Offences, consolidated version of 26 March 2019 (copy on the Regional Government of Madeira website)](https://www.madeira.gov.pt//Portals/12/Documentos/Noticias/Lei_Quadro_Contraordenacoes_Ambientais_jan_2022.pdf), article 22.
- Câmara Municipal de Palmela, [Incêndios rurais 2026](https://www.cm-palmela.pt/viver/noticias/noticia/incendios-rurais-2026-limpeza-de-terrenos-deve-decorrer-ate-31-de-maio), 1 April 2026.
- ANEPC, [Aldeia Segura, Pessoas Seguras: Guia de Apoio à Implementação](https://prociv.gov.pt/media/u52ldl2m/aldeia-segura-pessoas-seguras-guia-de-apoio-%C3%A0-implementa%C3%A7%C3%A3o.pdf), April 2018.
- AGIF, [Medidas de autoproteção](https://www.sgifr.gov.pt/medidas-de-autoprotecao) (undated page).
- ANEPC, [Despacho n.º 8591/2022: framing document](https://prociv.gov.pt/media/fnjob2ui/doc-enquadrador.pdf), July 2022.
- European Commission, [Decision 2000/553/EC](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/PT/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32000D0553), of 6 September 2000.

## FAQ

### Who has to clear the land around my house?

Whoever holds the land: owner, tenant, usufructuary or another entity. Article 49(7) of Decreto-Lei n.º 82/2021 covers land less than 50 m from buildings used as homes or for economic activities. If the land belongs to your neighbour, the duty is theirs. If nobody complies, the Câmara can do the work and charge the cost.

### How wide is the strip around the house?

The standard width is 50 m, measured from the outer masonry, on forest land, and 10 m on farmland. The sub-regional programme can change it by up to 50%, and the 2026 ICNF regulation allows it to go down to 30 m in areas of very low to medium hazard. Ask the Câmara which applies to your land.

### What is the fine for not clearing the land in 2026?

While the municipal forest fire defence plans are in force (until 31 December 2026, under Decreto-Lei n.º 86/2026), the fines of Decreto-Lei n.º 124/2006 apply: €140 to €5,000 for individuals and €1,500 to €60,000 for companies. Some Câmaras publish other amounts, so check with yours.

### What does BROOF mean on a tile or roof covering?

It is a class under EN 13501-5 for how a roof behaves when exposed to a fire from outside. There are four test methods (t1 to t4) and they cannot be compared with each other. FROOF means performance not determined. Ask for the product's declaration of performance before replacing the roof covering.

### Should I wet the roof when a fire approaches?

AGIF and the ANEPC advise wetting the walls, the roof and 10 m around the house, if it is safe. Do it from the ground, without climbing onto the roof. Close doors, windows and ventilation grilles, move firewood and tarpaulins away, turn off the gas and follow the authorities' instructions.

---
Source: https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/guides/wildfire-roof-protect-house. Independent information, not legal or tax advice.