Under French rules, homeowners must clear vegetation within roughly 50 yards of their houses. In the forests affected by France's worst fire in decades, that didn't happen.

Authorities had established clear regulations requiring property owners to maintain defensible space around structures in fire-prone areas. These rules mandate the removal of brush, dead trees, and other flammable materials within a specified radius of dwellings.

Despite these requirements, enforcement appears to have been lax or nonexistent in the regions subsequently devastated by the massive wildfire. The lack of compliance contributed to the fire's rapid spread and intensity.

The disaster has raised serious questions about regulatory oversight and the consequences of failing to implement existing safety measures designed to protect communities from wildfire threats.