Add organization

When is it forbidden to light a fire or use a barbecue outdoors in Norway?

The summer ban, the narrow exception and local bans.

Answered at: Checked at:

Short answer

In Norway it is forbidden to light a fire in or near forests and other open countryside from 15 April to 15 September without permission from the municipality. The ban also covers barbecues there. A fire is only allowed where it obviously cannot spread, and outside this period the municipality can ban fires when the risk is high.

Fire and barbecues in summer a shield icon with a check mark next to a tent and a small no-campfire sign on a green hillside

Why

  1. The rule is in section 3 of the Fire Prevention Regulations (forskrift om brannforebygging), which bans lighting fires in or near forest and other uncultivated land from 15 April to 15 September.
  2. The Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) says a fire is only allowed where it obviously cannot start a fire, and that it takes a lot of rain before this is the case.
  3. Breaking the general ban or the duty to take care can be punished with a fine or imprisonment.

Details

Beaches count as uncultivated land, and DSB says it is not allowed to light fires on bare rock. If you use a disposable barbecue, never place it directly on the ground and think about what is underneath. When you leave, the fire must be completely out. If the fire risk is especially high outside the summer period, the municipality can ban fires and barbecues outdoors in certain areas.

Tip

Check the rules on the website of the municipality you are in before you light a fire or barbecue, since local bans can come at short notice in dry weather.

What may differ

The municipal council can change the rule by local regulation, so dates and exceptions can differ between municipalities. If you want to light a fire during the ban, you can apply to the municipality for permission.

Common misconception

A fire on bare coastal rock is always safe and allowed, because rock cannot burn.

What actually happens

DSB states that it is not allowed to light fires on bare rock, and beaches also count as uncultivated land where the summer ban applies.

People also ask

  • When are you allowed to light a campfire in Norway?
  • When is the fire ban in Norway?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check the municipality and DSB before you travel.

Fire and barbecues in summer

  • Are there mosquitoes and midges in Norway?

    Mosquitoes and biting midges are common in Norway in summer, but in Norway their bites are harmless, although they itch and can swell.

    Checked at:

  • Is dumpster diving legal in Norway?

    Dumpster diving is generally not legal in Norway, because the bins usually stand on private property and the waste belongs to the business until it is collected.

    Checked at:

  • Do police officers in Norway carry guns?

    Yes, Norwegian police officers have generally carried firearms on duty since 1 July 2025, within limits set by the Norwegian Police Directorate (Politidirektoratet).

    Checked at:

  • Are there many homeless people in Oslo?

    The City of Oslo counted 1,459 homeless households in its own survey in late 2024, using the national definition of homelessness.

    Checked at:
Help