Can I light a fire and burn leaves in my garden?
No — the ban applies in your own garden too. Burning stubble, straw, dry grass and other plant waste is prohibited in protected areas, on farmland and in forests — but also in private gardens and business yards inside built-up areas. So "I'll just burn a few bags of leaves round the back" is an offence, not a household habit. The fine under the Farmland Protection Act runs from BGN 1,500 to 6,000 (≈€767–3,068), and on a repeat offence from BGN 2,000 to 12,000. Separately, an open fire less than 100 metres from the boundary of forest land is fined BGN 500, and a fire in the forest up to BGN 1,000. During the fire season mayors also issue express bans.
📋 The rules
- Banned in a private garden inside a built-up area too
- Covers stubble, straw, dry grass and plant waste
- Fine: BGN 1,500–6,000; on a repeat — up to BGN 12,000
- Fire within 100 m of forest: BGN 500; in forest — to BGN 1,000
- Mayors issue express seasonal bans
🔓 Exceptions
- A barbecue in a proper, contained appliance is not normally "lighting a fire"
- Plant waste goes to a municipal collection point or is composted
- In a minor case under environmental law the fine for an individual is BGN 100–500
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Beyond the administrative fine lies the heavier exposure. If the fire gets away from you and spreads to a neighbour's land, into forest or into a standing crop, you carry civil liability for all the damage — including a neighbour's burnt-out house — and the act can be charged as arson by negligence under the Criminal Code. The cost of putting the fire out can also be claimed from you. Where a neighbour reports it, an inspection is near certain: the smoke is visible and the offence easy to prove. The lawful route is composting or taking the plant waste to a municipal collection point.
📎 Official sources
- lex.bg · Farmland Protection Act →
- Ministry of Agriculture · Open fires →
- Ministry of the Interior · Fire safety and civil protection →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I burn leaves in my own garden?
No. The ban on burning plant waste covers private gardens inside built-up areas, not just fields and forests. The lawful routes are composting or the municipal collection point.
What is the fine?
Under the Farmland Protection Act, BGN 1,500 to 6,000, and BGN 2,000 to 12,000 on a repeat offence. A fire near forest land is fined BGN 500, and one in the forest up to BGN 1,000.
What about a barbecue?
A barbecue in a proper, contained appliance is not normally "lighting a fire" within the meaning of the ban. Where the mayor has issued an express seasonal ban, though, that applies too.
What if the fire spreads?
You bear civil liability for all the damage, including a neighbour's burnt property, and the act can be charged as arson by negligence. The cost of extinguishing it can also be claimed from you.
Where do I take garden waste?
Compost it, or take it to the municipal plant-waste collection point. Most municipalities also run seasonal collections of branches and leaves from gardens.
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