Definition
A prefectoral order is the act by which the prefect regulates or bans, over all or part of the department, an activity carrying a risk. For pyrotechnicians two families matter. Standing orders on the use of fire and the prevention of forest fires, which in southern and western departments frame displays every year between June and September or October, sometimes with an exemption for declared professionals. And ad hoc orders issued during droughts or red weather alerts, which suspend fireworks displays without notice, including properly declared ones, as happened in many departments in July 2022. These texts are published in the prefecture's official register; breaching them is an offence and voids insurance cover.
In practice, for the display company
A drought order often lands on Friday for a Saturday show. PyroDesk's prefecture watch follows all 101 departments, knows the seasonal ban windows and flags on every affected job the order in force, with its source, so you can warn the client before the town hall does.