Regulatory zoning of the Forest Fire Risk Prevention Plan (PPRIF) of the municipality of Santa-Maria-di-Lota in Upper Corsica

Plans for the prevention of natural hazards were established by the Act of 2 February 1995 on strengthening the protection of the environment. They are the key instrument of the State in the field of risk prevention. Their objective is to monitor the development of urban planning and land use in areas at risk. For natural PPRs, the Environmental Code defines two categories of zones (L562-1): risk-exposed areas and areas that are not directly exposed to risks but where measures can be foreseen to avoid exacerbating the risk. Depending on the hazard level, each area is subject to an enforceable settlement. The regulations generally distinguish three types of zones: 1- ‘Building prohibited areas’, known as ‘red areas’, where the hazard level is high and the general rule is the prohibition on construction; 2- ‘prescribed areas’, known as ‘blue zones’, where the hazard level is average and the projects are subject to requirements adapted to the type of issue; 3- areas not directly exposed to risks but where constructions, works, developments or farms, agricultural, forestry, craft, commercial or industrial could aggravate risks or cause new ones, subject to prohibitions or requirements (cf. Article L562-1 of the Environmental Code).