Update: The land to the north of Guadalupe Hills is cleared once a year by the council. I am talking to Christina at Navissa (the Macro equivalant of ACV) to find out when the next clearance is due and can it be bought forward…
There’s a lot of dried grass growing up to our perimeter hedges around Block 2. This is a huge fire risk and something that needs urgent attention. A further complication is that the hedges are oleander which is very toxic to humans and animals if it catches fire.
Spanish law requires preventive measures around your property. If we don’t comply, our insurance may not cover us. The land is privately owned so we need to get the owner to cut the grass, or we need to cut it ourselves with their permission (which they cannot deny).
The current management have been working on getting this done for 3 years. I have asked for the paper trail, but as Rosalia at ACV is off sick we still don’t have it yet (29th May 2026) 10 days after the first request. This is a serious problem. A dropped cigarette or glass bottle could be catastrophic. – we need a more resonsive Management company.
Here’s How Manuel Guzman used to keep the Firebreak Safe for us
The Essential Truth
For insurance to be liable in a wildfire, you must prove you took «all necessary preventive measures.» Otherwise, claims can be denied for negligence. Also the hedge is Oleanda which is HIGHLY toxic to Humans and Animals if burnt…
All parts of the oleander plant—including the stems, leaves, roots, and sap—remain highly toxic when burned.Inhaling this smoke can cause severe respiratory distress, eye irritation, nausea, and even systemic cardiac issues.
Our 3 Legal Obligations
| Obligation | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Clear a perimeter strip | Typically 15–25 meters around your buildings—free of dry grass, dead vegetation, and overgrown shrubs |
| Maintain the interface | Prune trees to 2.2m height, mow grass, remove dead leaves |
| Respect seasonal bans | No spark-generating machinery (lawnmowers, saws) during extreme fire risk days |
The Oleander Problem
Oleander is toxic when burned. Medical literature confirms smoke inhalation can cause cardiac poisoning. While oleander has some fire-resistant properties, relying on it alone is dangerous and likely insufficient for compliance.
The Neighbor’s Land Risk
«Not my land» is not a legal defense. If dry, flammable grass on adjacent private land falls within your required perimeter strip, your community must:
- Request the owner clear it in writing – Have we done this?
- Report non-compliance to the town hall – Have we done this?
Consequences If We Ignore This
Town hall clears it themselves and bills you
Insurance denial (negligence clause)
Fines up to €30,000
Civil or criminal liability if your property causes a fire on other properties
