The deadlines for fuel management in the secondary network for mainland municipalities are determined annually by the Government, with the aim of contributing to "reducing the spread of rural fires, mitigating risks associated with extreme phenomena and strengthening territorial resilience".

In a joint order from the Secretaries of State for Civil Protection and Forests, the government considered that the circumstances experienced this year, due to bad weather, justify "extending the deadline for carrying out the work associated with the installation or maintenance of the secondary network, in view of the different realities experienced in the various regions of the mainland".

Thus, it is determined that work on the secondary network of fuel management strips may take place until 31 May 2026 in mainland municipalities.

However, an exception applies to municipalities covered by a declaration of calamity due to severe weather in 2026, which may continue until 30 June.

Owners with land within 50 meters of residential buildings or economic activities must implement fuel management within a 50-meter-wide strip in forest territories or a 10-meter-wide strip in agricultural territories.

In population clusters located within or bordering forest areas, fuel management is mandatory in an outer strip of at least 100 meters, a distance also foreseen for campsites, industrial parks, and landfills.

After these deadlines, non-compliance subjects owners to inspection and possible fines.

In the dispatch, the Government stressed that the current year “has been characterized by a winter with persistent periods of intense precipitation, sometimes associated with strong winds, which have hampered the normal development of agricultural and forestry work and also fuel management work in the secondary network”. On the other hand, the “catastrophic effects” of Storm Kristin's passage at the end of January forced the “urgent mobilization of considerable resources for emergency civil protection tasks” in the most affected municipalities.

There is also a need to “ensure the continuity of forestry and clearing work in the coming months, with an exceptional allocation of material and human resources, given the devastation that occurred,” he added.