Can I light a campfire in nature and in the forest?
Partly — you can light a campfire in nature, but only in fire pits specially set up for it. Under the Forest Visiting Rules, campfires, disposable barbecues, portable grills and skewers may be used in the forest only in the equipped fire pits of rest areas and campsites, marked with the relevant sign. Lighting a fire among the trees, on peaty ground or in a meadow beside the forest is banned. The myth that "with your own firewood you can burn wherever you like" is wrong — what matters is not the firewood but the place. In a drought and high fire danger a temporary ban on visiting forests and lighting fires can be declared. For breaching the rules you face a warning or a 20–50 € fine, and for ignoring forest fire-safety requirements 30–50 €. Start a forest or peat fire and the liability becomes incomparably greater — up to criminal, plus full compensation for the loss.
📋 The rules
- A campfire, grill or barbecue in a forest may be used only in equipped fire pits
- A general breach of the Forest Visiting Rules — a warning or 20–50 €
- Breaching forest fire-safety requirements — 30–50 € (managers 90–170 €)
- In a drought a temporary ban on visiting forests and lighting fires may apply
- Starting a forest or peat fire — criminal liability and compensation for the damage
🔓 Exceptions
- In marked, equipped fire pits you may light a fire, keeping to the safety distances and rules
- On your own plot a fire is allowed if fire-safety distances from buildings and the forest are kept
- Some campsites allow only portable devices (gas stoves), and not an open fire
⚠️ Penalties & fines
A small fine can quickly turn into a bill worth thousands. For a fire in the wrong place an individual faces a warning or a 20–50 € fine, and for a fire-safety breach 30–50 € (managers of legal entities 90–170 €). That is only the start: if the fire causes a forest or peat fire, liability becomes criminal, and the culprit must compensate the full damage — firefighting costs and the value of the burnt forest and wildlife, which can run to tens or hundreds of thousands of euros. What people do not expect: you are punished for a fire left smouldering unextinguished, and for a grill in a meadow beside the forest. Control is carried out by the Environmental Protection Department and fire services, and during dangerous periods patrols are more frequent. So before you set off, check whether a temporary fire ban is in force.
📎 Official sources
- e-seimas · Forest Visiting Rules and fire-safety requirements →
- AAD · safe use of campfires and barbecues →
- Ministry of Environment · forest fire protection →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I light a campfire in a forest?
You can, but only in specially equipped fire pits, which are found in rest areas and campsites and marked with the relevant sign. Lighting a fire anywhere else in the forest is banned, even if you use your own firewood.
What is the fine for a fire in the wrong place?
For breaching the Forest Visiting Rules you get a warning or a 20–50 euro fine, and for breaching forest fire-safety requirements 30–50 euros. If the fire causes a wildfire, liability becomes far greater, up to criminal, and compensation for the damage is added.
Can I use a portable grill or barbecue?
In a forest disposable barbecues, portable grills and skewers are allowed only in the same equipped fire pits as an open fire. Some campsites may allow only closed devices, so it is always worth checking the signs and rules on the spot.
Can I light a fire during a drought?
No, when fire danger is high a temporary ban on visiting forests and lighting fires at all can be declared. During such a period even fire pits may be off-limits, and breaches are punished more harshly because of the raised risk.
What if my fire causes a wildfire?
Starting a forest or peat fire brings criminal liability, and the culprit must compensate all the damage caused. It covers firefighting costs and the value of the burnt forest and wildlife, so the final sum can run to tens or even hundreds of thousands of euros.
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