Bonfires are something many Norwegians appreciate. But in the summer months, it is not necessarily so easy to tell when it is permissible to light a fire. – I think many people don’t dare light a fire, says Odd Lennart Vikene. He is a university lecturer and teaches sports, physical education and outdoor life at the University of Western Norway in Sogndal. He believes that the fire authorities and the Directorate for Community Safety and Emergency Preparedness (DSB) are forgetting to convey that there is not a total ban. Namely, there is a general bonfire ban that applies from 15 April to 15 September. But even if there is a general fire ban, you are allowed to light a fire where it is obvious that it cannot start a fire. This could be, for example, if there is snow on the ground, or if it has been raining for a long time. Odd Lennart Vikene believes that DSB engages in propaganda of intimidation. Photo: Private – I think most people hear what is written first and then they don’t dare light a fire. One should, of course, have respect for fire and the consequences it can have, but it is a shame if people are terrified of lighting a fire under conditions where it is clearly okay, he says. – Bombastic intimidation propaganda – There is often a bit of bombastic intimidation propaganda, says the university lecturer. He thinks it is clear that most people are a little skeptical. In some places it is stated that if lighting a bonfire leads to harassment, you may risk paying a fine or imprisonment. – There are quite serious threats. Did you know that it is allowed to light fires in the summer? He underlines that one should naturally take fire safety seriously, but believes that DSB should spend more energy on communicating what is safe and good bonfire, not just focus on the fact that there is a ban. – Should everything be banned? Making fires has been a long and good outdoor tradition. It’s a bit of a shame if we have to ban it. Vikene has also written an article about the topic in Utemagasinet. This is the campfire ban: In Norway, there is a general campfire ban from 15 April to 15 September. During this period, it is forbidden to light fires and barbecues (including disposable barbecues) in or near forests and other outlying areas. Although there is a general fire ban, you are allowed to light a fire where it is obvious that it cannot start a fire. This could be, for example, if there is snow on the ground, or if it has been raining for a long time. You can also barbecue on the beach at a good distance from forest and vegetation and on prepared barbecue and bonfire sites that have been approved by the municipality. Always check which rules apply to your municipality before lighting a fire. (DSB) Preventing forest and land from catching fire Warden at 110 in Nordland, Andreas Skindlo, does not feel that people are misinterpreting the law. – Most of the people I come into contact with call to tell me that they are going to light a fire. Then we make them aware of the laws and regulations that apply, says Skindlo. It is very rare that people call them in connection with a small coffee fire. If someone calls, it is usually about a bonfire that can be mistaken for fires, according to Skindlo. – This is to prevent forest fires and fields where there may be dry grass, especially now that we have the old grass from last year. If someone breaks what is in the law, which is referred to as the duty to be careful, they can be punished with a fine or imprisonment. Photo: Sunniva Grimstad Hestenes / news But if you have a coffee fire or something similar, you should always be able to put it out yourself. Skindlo also says that it is important to remember that you do not make the fire too close to flammable material. Nor should it be an embarrassment to others. Can threaten life and health It is right that it is allowed to light fires in the summer, but in places where a fire cannot start. It is laid down in the regulations on fire prevention, according to director of department in the Directorate for Community Safety and Preparedness (DSB), Johan Marius Ly. – On the other hand, there were 1,275 fires in inland and outland areas in 2022. Fires and human activity are the most common causes of forest fires, says Ly, adding: – One fire can start a fire that can become large, and which can spread to threaten life, health, property and critical infrastructure. Ly says they understand that the general ban on bonfires can act as a restriction on bonfires, but the intention of the law is to prevent forest fires. – There is no intention to prevent all bonfires, but to make arrangements so that bonfires can be carried out in as safe a manner as possible, so that the risk of forest fires can be reduced. We believe that most people both understand and accept that it is important to avoid fires in forests and fields. A forest fire can threaten life, health and material assets. It can lead to resource-demanding and risky back-and-forth efforts for firefighters, the civil defense and others, says Johan Marius Ly in DSB. Photo: Press photo In periods of extraordinary drought, the municipality can locally introduce a total ban on all bonfires outside, also in the approved places, he says. – Whether a punitive response is too severe is not for me to assess. It is important that everyone behaves in such a way that fires are avoided and notifies 110 quickly if a fire should occur. If you’re in doubt as to whether it’s too dry, don’t be.
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You can light a fire in the summer – believes DSB is running scaremongering propaganda – news Nordland
