May I light a fire or a bonfire out in nature?
It depends — lighting a fire or bonfire in nature is allowed under conditions, but completely banned when fire danger is declared. The Decree on Fire Protection in the Natural Environment requires the fireplace to be at least 50 metres from the forest and at least 100 metres from traffic routes, settlements and buildings with flammable substances, that the fire be supervised at all times and put out before you leave. When the Administration for Civil Protection and Rescue declares high or very high fire danger for an area, any burning or use of open fire in nature is prohibited — in summer this often happens especially in Primorska and the Karst. The myth that you may light a fire anywhere as long as you are careful does not hold: the fine for an individual is 200 to 600 euros, and for a legal person it runs into thousands. Burning waste outdoors is subject to even stricter rules.
📋 The rules
- The fireplace must be at least 50 m from the forest and at least 100 m from traffic routes, larger settlements and buildings with flammable or dangerous substances.
- When high or very high fire danger is declared, burning and the use of open fire in the natural environment are completely prohibited.
- The fire must be supervised at all times, with means of extinguishing at hand, and must be fully put out before you leave.
- The fine for an individual for burning during declared fire danger is 200 to 600 euros; for a legal person from 1,000 euros upwards.
- Burning waste (e.g. plastic, rubber) outdoors is prohibited under waste rules — only dry plant remains may be burnt, and only under the conditions.
🔓 Exceptions
- Outside a declared fire-danger period and observing the distances, lighting a bonfire (e.g. a May Day one) is allowed, often after prior notice to the fire brigade.
- At designated fireplaces and picnic areas with a hearth the operator's rules apply, but the ban during declared fire danger still stands.
- During a declared danger period, the natural environment also includes the area up to 250 m from the forest in the listed municipalities — the ban reaches beyond the forest itself.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Burning during declared fire danger is an offence: the fine for an individual is 200 to 600 euros, and for a legal person it runs into thousands (up to 6,000 euros by some reports). Supervision is carried out by the Inspectorate for Protection against Natural and Other Disasters and the police, who step up checks during a declared danger. The fine is the smallest part of the risk: if the fire spreads into a forest or grass fire, you are liable for the firefighting costs, which may include the intervention of firefighters, helicopters and the army, and for compensation for the damage to the forest and other property. A negligently caused fire can be a criminal offence of causing a general danger, carrying a prison sentence. A hidden trap is insurance: if the fire stems from prohibited conduct, the insurer may refuse cover or seek repayment of what it has paid out. So before burning, always check the fire-danger declaration and observe the prescribed distances.
📎 Official sources
- PISRS · statute register (Decree on Fire Protection in the Natural Environment, ZVPoz) →
- gov.si · Administration for Civil Protection and Rescue (fire danger) →
- Slovenia Forest Service · forest protection →
❓ Frequently asked
May I light a fire in or beside a forest?
The fireplace must be at least 50 metres from the forest and at least 100 metres from buildings and traffic routes, and the fire must be supervised at all times and put out before you leave. When high fire danger is declared, burning is completely prohibited, so before a bonfire check whether a declaration applies to your area.
Where do I check whether a burning ban applies?
High or very high fire danger is declared by the Administration for Civil Protection and Rescue for particular areas, and the announcements are carried by the media and fire-brigade associations. During a declared danger any burning in nature is prohibited, and the ban may reach up to 250 metres from the forest.
What is the fine for prohibited burning?
For an individual who uses open fire or burns in nature during declared fire danger, the fine is 200 to 600 euros, and for legal persons much higher. To this may be added firefighting costs and compensation if the fire spreads into a wildfire.
May I burn branches and waste in my own garden?
Burning waste such as plastic or rubber is prohibited under waste rules, and only dry plant remains may be burnt, observing the distances and fire rules. When fire danger is declared, even burning plant remains outdoors is prohibited.
What if the fire gets out of control and the forest catches?
Besides the fine you are liable for firefighting costs and compensation for damage to the forest and other property, and a negligently caused fire can be a criminal offence carrying a prison sentence. The insurer may refuse cover if the fire stems from prohibited burning, so the consequences can be extremely costly.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “open fire in nature rules slovenia”
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