There is now a temporary regulation banning the use of all kinds of fire, including bonfires, campfires, barbecues and the use of all other form of fire and open flame in Rælingen, Lørenskog, Lillestrøm, Gjerdrum, Aurskog-Høland and Nittedal municipalities (i.e., Nedre Romerike). The ban also applies to parks, lake shores, cultivated land and pastures, meadows, designated campfire or barbecues areas, as well as forests.

The ban is in addition to the general campfire ban that comes into effect every year in all of Norway every year from 15 April to 15 September, where there is a ban on the use of fire in forests and fields.

The temporary regulation prohibits all kinds of use of open fire, such as campfires, using barbecues, camping stoves, campfire pans and all other cooking appliances fueled by gas, wood, coal, briquettes, grass, branches etc.

Landowners who have established designated places for camp fires / barbecues, either private or public, must close these.

Midsummer

No Midsummer bonfires are allowed in Nedre Romerike this year. All approved applications for Midsummer bonfires are therefore withdrawn by Nedre Romerike brann- og redningsvesen (NRBR).

Duration

The temporary regulation lasts until Thursday 29 June 2023, or until the risk of forest fires is significantly reduced and NRBR makes this known on www.nrbr.no website, social media and press releases.

When the ban is lifted, the general ban on campfires will still apply, which – as a general rule -  prohibits making fires in or near forests and other open fields. In addition to fires, this includes the use of disposable grills, campfire pans and other grilling devices.

Remember that wherever and whenever you are, you are always responsible when lighting a fire.

Anyone who intentionally or negligently violates the regulations may punished by a fine or imprisonment, see Fire and Explosion Protection Act.

You are allowed to barbecue in your own garden

NRBR specify that it is still allowed to barbecue in your own garden, schoolyards, car parks and sports fields, as long as these are not located close to forest and fields. But as always: Everyone must exercise caution when carrying out activities that could lead to a fire. You are always responsible for your own actions.

Businesses

NRBR also ask businesses that are engaged in forestry, telecommunications, maintenance of roads and railway lines etc. to assess the risk and take measures to reduce the risk of fire.

Read more in Norwegian.