Rules and advice
The fire ban, what to do if you see a fire, and who puts it out.
Most forest fires are started by people. Here are the Norwegian rules for lighting fires outdoors, and what to do if you discover a fire.
When is there a ban on open fires in Norway?
From 15 April to 15 September it is forbidden to light a fire in or near forest and other open land. This follows from the Norwegian fire prevention regulations, section 3.
Exceptions apply where the municipality has given permission or has its own local rules, or where it obviously cannot cause a fire. When the danger is especially high, the municipality can also ban fires outside this period and in other places outdoors, for up to 60 days at a time. Always check the rules in the municipality you are in.
Whatever the time of year, everyone must be careful with fire. Read all about the fire ban.
How do I know if there is a total ban on fires in my municipality?
When the fire danger is especially high, the municipality can ban all use of fire outdoors for up to 60 days at a time, and it must make the ban known. Check the municipality's website, social media or local media, or ask the fire service.
On the page for each municipality you can see today's forest fire danger, the next few days and the rules for fires.
What happens if I break the fire ban?
Anyone who intentionally or negligently breaks the fire prevention regulations or the municipality's local rules can be punished with a fine or up to 3 months in prison under section 42 of the Norwegian Fire and Explosion Prevention Act.
If you are unsure what applies, ask the local fire service before you light a fire.
Who decides on the open-fire ban, and who announces it?
The municipality decides on the open-fire ban and must make it known. When the danger is especially high, the County Governor (Statsforvalteren) can also introduce temporary bans for an area. The general ban applies from 15 April to 15 September, unless the municipality has given permission.
Check the municipality's website, or our open-fire ban page, to see what applies where you are.
Is it safe to walk in the forest when the danger is high?
Walking itself is usually safe. It is the fire that is dangerous. Most forest fires in Norway start because of people, so be careful with campfires, grills, sparks and cigarette ends.
When the danger is high, do not light a fire in the forest or on open land, and follow the open-fire ban. Check the fire danger for your municipality before you go, and keep away from areas with smoke or fire.
Can a campfire keep burning after it has been put out?
Yes. Embers from campfires and disposable grills can burn in the ground for days and spread some distance underground before any smoke appears.
So put it out with plenty of water, stir the ashes and add more until everything is cold. Do not put a disposable grill directly on the ground.
What should I do if I see a forest fire?
In Norway, call 110 straight away. Say as precisely as you can where the fire is, preferably with coordinates, and how the fire service can get there.
If the fire is small, you can try to put it out or stop it from spreading, but take no chances. Move away before the flames can surround you. Meet the fire service when they arrive and tell them what you have seen.
Can I fly a drone near a forest fire?
No. A drone can stop rescue helicopters from working, which makes the firefighting harder and more dangerous for those in the area.
At Lærdal in 2014 the police put a no-fly order over the fire area, because drones were disturbing the helicopters. If you see a drone over a fire, call 112 and report it. Do not try to bring it down yourself. Only the police can do that.
What do I do if we have to evacuate?
Follow the instructions from the police and the fire service straight away, and take the route they give you. Do not wait until the fire is close before you act.
Take medication, documents and your phone. Close windows and doors, but do not lock them. Call 112 if you are in danger or do not know where to go. Keep up to date through NRK, the municipality's website and police alerts.
Who puts out forest fires in Norway?
The municipality is responsible. The local fire service leads the firefighting and gets help from the Civil Defence and the Home Guard when needed.
The state keeps a forest fire helicopter on standby from 15 April to 15 September, and more when the danger is high. The fire service requests them, not the public.
How do I protect my house or cabin from a forest fire?
DSB recommends a fire-safe zone of about five metres around the house. Clear needles, leaves and bark from the roof, gutters and patio, keep the grass near the house short and remove dead grass in autumn. Store firewood, furniture and tools some distance from the wall.
Seal or cover vents and gaps where embers can lodge, for example with spark-proof mesh. Prefer deciduous trees to conifers, and avoid juniper, thuja and cypress right next to the house.
Cabins have the same requirements as homes: at least one smoke detector and a fire extinguisher or a fire hose.