Lighting fires

	Campfires or other open fires may not be lit on other people’s land without permission. © Liisa Turkia-Kyyrö.

Campfires or other open fires must not be lit if, under the prevailing conditions, there is a clear risk of the fire spreading, that is, if the weather is dry or it is windy. Open fires cannot be lit without the landowner's permission.

However, no permission is needed for the use of lanterns, portable heaters, camping stoves or other such equipment, as long as they are used properly and do not come into direct contact with the ground.

When the risk of forest fire is clear, the rescue authority can forbid the lighting of open fires. When this ban is in force, open fires may not be lit anywhere, even if the landowner has given permission to do so. To the best of their ability, land owners and managers must ensure that fire safety regulations and precautions are followed in areas under their authority

Campsites and outdoor recreation areas are often equipped with designated campfire sites. If there is such a site, fires must not be lit anywhere else in the area.

More information

Environment Counsellor Pekka Tuunanen
firstname.surname@ymparisto.fi