Summer Fire Ban: Fines Up to €19,900
From the beginning of June to the end of October, a strict ban on open-air fires is in effect. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines and up to 60 days in prison.
From the beginning of June to the end of October, a strict ban on open-air fires is in effect. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines and up to 60 days in prison.
As summer temperatures rise and vegetation dries out, Croatia has implemented a key fire protection measure. From June 1 to October 31, any open-air burning of fire or flammable materials is prohibited. Authorities urge citizens to exercise maximum caution, as even the slightest negligence can lead to catastrophic consequences.
The legislator has provided rigorous sanctions for offenders. For merely starting a fire, fines range from €1,990 to as much as €19,900. Alternatively, the court may impose a prison sentence of up to 60 days.
Even milder forms of negligence do not go unpunished: for causing a fire through carelessness, fines range from €260 to €1,990. Even those who notice a fire but fail to report it to the authorities risk fines between €130 and €1,990.
Depending on the severity of the consequences, reckless behavior can also constitute criminal offenses, such as endangering lives and property through a generally dangerous act.
During the summer months, activities that increase fire risk are common, such as grilling, outdoor work that produces sparks, or careless disposal of cigarette butts. Fires must never be lit during windy conditions or at night, and cigarette butts should not be discarded in nature or out of car windows. Flammable materials, lighters, and matches should be kept away from heat sources.
Citizens are advised not to park vehicles on access roads reserved for firefighters and other emergency vehicles. Where burning is permitted by local regulations, the person lighting the fire must remain present at all times and fully extinguish the fire with water, foam, or powder after completion. The site may only be left once every ember is extinguished.
A special warning has been issued for drone owners. It is strictly forbidden to film or photograph fires from the air, as this directly endangers the safety of firefighters and firefighting aircraft and hinders firefighting operations.
In the event of a fire, whether indoors or outdoors, citizens are required to immediately call for help at 112, 193, or 192. If a fire occurs in a building from which safe exit is impossible, doors and windows should be closed to prevent smoke from entering, and respiratory passages should be protected with a damp cloth.
During an outdoor fire, it is crucial to find a safe location, move away from dry grass, and monitor wind direction. Fighting the fire with one's own efforts is permitted only if it is safe and feasible using a portable fire extinguisher. If clothing catches fire, one should lie on the ground and roll to extinguish the flames.
Authorities appeal to citizens' conscience, emphasizing that a single careless move can endanger human lives, destroy property, and cause environmental damage that requires the mobilization of numerous firefighters and specialized equipment to remediate.
