Before you barbecue: 31 Swedish municipalities have fire bans

Thirty-one Swedish municipalities currently have fire bans, covering every municipality in Blekinge and parts of Kalmar, Kronoberg, Skåne and Västra Götaland.

The live official map listed ordinary fire bans, rather than stricter bans, when DailySweden checked it on Monday. The affected areas include Kalmar, Växjö, Karlskrona, Kristianstad, Strömstad and 26 other municipalities.

An ordinary ban stops people burning solid fuel in forests and open countryside. Barbecuing is normally still permitted on your own property and at designated public grilling areas. Local decisions can differ, however, so residents must check their municipality or rescue service before lighting charcoal, wood or another solid fuel.

A strict ban would also close designated public grilling areas. Even where the map is green, authorities may advise against lighting fires because dry conditions can remain dangerous.

Krisinformation says anyone who breaches a ban may be fined. People can use the Brandrisk Ute app or SMHI forecast to check conditions. If a fire spreads, call 112 immediately.

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