In the department of Borgou, during these times of great dry season when the wind from Harmattan is blowing, it is the period par excellence for early fires. They have the merit of avoiding serious fires that are harmful to the environment.

For the 2020-2021 campaign, early vegetation fires are in full swing in the various localities of Borgou. Their practice, which meets regulations, is encouraged.
In the department, the period from November 1 to December 31 is recommended for the ignition of early fires, said the head of the Borgou Forest Inspection, Colonel Théophile Sinandouwirou. Penalties, he warns, are planned against offenders.
Indeed, Law 93-009 on the forest regime in the Republic of Benin has provided for provisions so that the fires that will be practised are less dangerous. Each year, the Minister of Living Environment and Sustainable Development, in charge of forests, issues an order setting the periods and procedures for igniting early vegetation fires.
They are, explains the head of the Borgou Forest Inspection, practiced at the beginning of the dry season as a preventive measure and to ensure the security of national biodiversity, plantations, farms, granaries, fields, fields, homes and property through firewalls. It is, he insists, in concert with local authorities.
As advantages, he continues, these fires make it possible to regenerate plant formations and to care for the environment somewhat, by sparing it from serious fires.

“They are lit at the beginning of the dry season, because it is during this period that the vegetation is relatively humid in order to avoid that, with the vegetable fuel, the fire is burning to do a lot of damage”, clarifies Colonel Théophile Sinandouwirou. He advises doing them in the mornings or evenings, because that is when the wind is not strong. A measure that, according to him, makes it possible to control the intensity of the fire and then to reduce the damage to the ground and trees.
Thus, fires that are started after the selected period, recalls the head of the Borgou Forest Inspection, are considered late. They are often uncontrolled and harmful.
The author of a late fire is liable to a fine ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 CFA francs and imprisonment for three months to three years. But when the fire is started voluntarily, it is considered a crime, in case of damage caused. At this level, criminal procedure is applied.