If you are lucky enough to live out in the countryside (the campo) and the idea of a little fire to burn garden waste tickles your fancy, pause before striking a match.
Light it without the proper permission, and you could end up paying a fine.
Each Town Hall has different rules and regulations, so check with your local Council for confirmation.
As a general rule, you will need a permit to burn garden waste. Urban areas are a strict no-go, and even in agricultural zones, you can’t just light up without official approval. From 1 June to 15 October, burning agricultural waste is generally banned, as fire risk is at its peak.
If you do have a permit, there are a few things to bear in mind. Permits usually last up to 30 days, and you must stick to the exact dates and times on your Burn Plan.
Before you light the fire, read all the conditions on the back of your permit, and check the current fire risk. You can check your fire risk on the Preemergencia IF Comunitat Valenciana app.
Rules and regulations
When it comes to actually burning, stay inside your own plot and keep well away from forested areas. Never burn within 50 metres of forest edges, and make sure plant waste goes into contained bonfires rather than being spread along field margins.
Fires are only allowed under pre-emergency level 1; if it’s level 2 or 3, put the matches away. Burning is allowed from sunrise until 13:30, and the fire must be completely out by then. If it’s a windy day, stop immediately and douse it.
Safety is key. Clear a two-metre-wide firebreak around the burn site, removing all dry grass and shrubs. The authorised person must stay with the fire until it’s fully out and monitor it for at least two hours. Always carry your permit and ID while the fire is burning.
Applications are handled at your local town hall, either in person, by email, or via their electronic office. Like rules, forms differ between towns, but most are called comunicación de quema.
