What are the rules for fires and BBQs in Norway?
A yellow forest fire warning is in place for large parts of southern Norway. Here are the key rules you need to know about lighting fires and BBQs in Norway.
A yellow weather warning for forest fires is in place across most of south and southeastern Norway due to the warm weather and lack of rain.
The warning will be in place until the region has seen substantial rainfall. Below, you can see the area covered by the warning.
Østlandet og Sørlandet har solfylte dager i vente 🌞
Men husk:
☀️ + 🌬️ - ☔ = 🌵
Farevarsel om lokal skogbrannfare gjelder for store deler av det Østafjelske. Det er ikke noe særlig regn i sikte heller, så det blir bare tørrere og tørrere. pic.twitter.com/bM8Fnghfsh
— Meteorologene (@Meteorologene) May 30, 2023
Norway's Directorate for Safety and Preparedness says that 90 percent of forest fires are caused by human activity. Careless placement or use of bonfires and BBQs are the most common causes of forest fires.
The fire service in Viken extinguished a forest fire that had grown to a width of around 400 metres on Tuesday. More than 20 firefighters and a helicopter was required to put out the blaze.
Due to the risk of forest fires in the spring and summer, campfires are generally prohibited from April 15th until September 15th in wooded areas and forests.
However, even though there is a general campfire ban in place, people are still allowed to light fires and use disposable grills in areas where a fire is unlikely, such as near snow or water, at an approved campsite, or if they are well acquainted with local conditions and rules. Oslo's parks are also exempt from the general ban. The fire must also be at a safe distance from buildings and vegetation.
READ MORE: What are the rules and culture of camping in Norway?
BBQs in somebody's back garden are also fine, as the lawn is considered cultivated land. People are also allowed to burn organic garden waste but may need to notify or seek permission from their local authority first.
In times of extreme drought, local authorities can impose a total fire ban. When a total ban is in place, all open fires outdoors, with the general exception for BBQs in one's own garden, are prohibited.
Other helpful tips
- You can check the risk of forest fires spreading where you by using yr.no.
- Fires caused by people putting disposable grills in regular bins when finished are common in Norway. However, most parks and green spaces will have designated bins typically marked "engangsgrill", which are fire safe.
- If the fire does get out of control, the number for Norway's fire service is 110.
- The person who lights the fire is the one who is responsible for ensuring it doesn't spread and is properly extinguished.
Vocabulary
Generalle bålforbud
(General fire ban)
Totalt bålforbud
(Total fire ban)
Brannvesenet
(The fire service)
Skogbrann
(Forest fire)
Comments
See Also
A yellow weather warning for forest fires is in place across most of south and southeastern Norway due to the warm weather and lack of rain.
The warning will be in place until the region has seen substantial rainfall. Below, you can see the area covered by the warning.
Østlandet og Sørlandet har solfylte dager i vente 🌞
— Meteorologene (@Meteorologene) May 30, 2023
Men husk:
☀️ + 🌬️ - ☔ = 🌵
Farevarsel om lokal skogbrannfare gjelder for store deler av det Østafjelske. Det er ikke noe særlig regn i sikte heller, så det blir bare tørrere og tørrere. pic.twitter.com/bM8Fnghfsh
Norway's Directorate for Safety and Preparedness says that 90 percent of forest fires are caused by human activity. Careless placement or use of bonfires and BBQs are the most common causes of forest fires.
The fire service in Viken extinguished a forest fire that had grown to a width of around 400 metres on Tuesday. More than 20 firefighters and a helicopter was required to put out the blaze.
Due to the risk of forest fires in the spring and summer, campfires are generally prohibited from April 15th until September 15th in wooded areas and forests.
However, even though there is a general campfire ban in place, people are still allowed to light fires and use disposable grills in areas where a fire is unlikely, such as near snow or water, at an approved campsite, or if they are well acquainted with local conditions and rules. Oslo's parks are also exempt from the general ban. The fire must also be at a safe distance from buildings and vegetation.
READ MORE: What are the rules and culture of camping in Norway?
BBQs in somebody's back garden are also fine, as the lawn is considered cultivated land. People are also allowed to burn organic garden waste but may need to notify or seek permission from their local authority first.
In times of extreme drought, local authorities can impose a total fire ban. When a total ban is in place, all open fires outdoors, with the general exception for BBQs in one's own garden, are prohibited.
Other helpful tips
- You can check the risk of forest fires spreading where you by using yr.no.
- Fires caused by people putting disposable grills in regular bins when finished are common in Norway. However, most parks and green spaces will have designated bins typically marked "engangsgrill", which are fire safe.
- If the fire does get out of control, the number for Norway's fire service is 110.
- The person who lights the fire is the one who is responsible for ensuring it doesn't spread and is properly extinguished.
Vocabulary
Generalle bålforbud
(General fire ban)
Totalt bålforbud
(Total fire ban)
Brannvesenet
(The fire service)
Skogbrann
(Forest fire)
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.