Am I allowed to barbecue and light a fire in nature in Sweden?
Yes — but only with the greatest care, and never during a fire ban. The right of public access permits a fire only if it cannot spread or damage the ground. Never light a fire on bare rock — the heat cracks it permanently, and it is forbidden whether or not a fire ban is in force. Avoid moss and peat, where fire can travel underground; use a fixed fire site or a base of gravel or sand. A disposable barbecue must sit on non-flammable ground, never grass. During an ordinary fire ban you may only grill at fixed sites; during a heightened ban all outdoor fire is forbidden. And the trap: whoever lights the fire is fully liable for damage and firefighting costs.
📋 The rules
- Fire only with the greatest care and no fire risk
- Never light a fire on bare rock — heat cracks it
- Avoid moss and peat; use a gravel or sand base
- Disposable barbecue on non-flammable ground, never grass
- A fire ban always overrides — check the status first
🔓 Exceptions
- A raised grill on your own plot (unless a heightened ban applies)
- The city's fixed grill sites during an ordinary fire ban
- Sealed camping stoves do not count as open fire
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Breaching a fire ban brings fines under the Civil Protection Act. If the fire spreads it can be public-endangerment negligence (Penal Code ch. 13): fines or prison up to 6 months, and up to 2 years for a gross offence. But the punishment is rarely the costliest part — whoever lit the fire is liable in damages for the fire and for the firefighting costs, and a vegetation fire can demand a response lasting a long time. The liability follows the person who lit it, not the landowner and not whoever owns the grill.
📎 Official sources
- Swedish EPA · Fires and barbecuing →
- MSB · Fire bans and forest fire →
- County Board Stockholm · Fire bans →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I barbecue in the forest?
Yes, with the greatest care and only if no fire ban is in force. The fire must not be able to spread or damage the ground, so avoid moss and peat and never light a fire directly on bare rock.
Why can I not light a fire on bare rock?
The heat cracks the rock, and the damage is permanent. The ban applies whether or not a fire ban is in force, so use a fixed fire site or a base of gravel or sand instead — and avoid moss and peat.
Can I use a disposable barbecue?
Yes, but it must sit on non-flammable ground and never on grass. Disposable barbecues are often banned on beaches and in parks, and during a fire ban you may only grill at the city's fixed grill sites.
What applies during a fire ban?
During an ordinary fire ban you may only grill at fixed sites. During a heightened ban all outdoor fire is forbidden, even a raised grill on your own plot — but a sealed camping stove does not count as open fire.
Who is liable if the fire spreads?
Whoever lit the fire is fully liable and can owe damages for both the fire and the firefighting costs. On top of that come fines or prison for public-endangerment negligence — the liability follows the person who lit it, not the landowner.
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