Frequent ban on lighting fires during summer
During the summer, it is often forbidden to light a fire in the countryside because of the enormous risk of fire. Information about any bans on the lighting of fires is normally broadcast in conjunction with local radio news bulletins, in traffic reports and published in the local press. You can generally also obtain information at camping sites, tourist offices and from the municipal rescue services. Several municipalities have a telephone answering machine which provides information about the risk of fire. Refer to the green pages of the telephone catalogue under the headings Brandförsvar (Fire Brigade) or Räddningstjänst (Rescue Service). The fire-risk is given on a scale of 1 - 5, where 4 and 5 most often mean a ban on the lighting of fires! When there is a ban on fires, all types of open fire are strictly forbidden! This also applies to all prepared fireplaces which have not been approved by the municipal Fire Chief. You may, however, use small camping or primus stoves and charcoal grills.

If you light a fire

• You should preferably use a camping stove, but if you do light a fire, it is important to choose the right place such as a gravel or sand patch with access to water, which can be used to extinguish the fire. Beware of the wind, which could carry sparks into the forest. Either dig a hollow or lay a circle of stones around the fire, and keep the fire itself small.
  
  
• Do not light a fire if the wind is strong! Do not light a fire on peat or moss. There is also a huge fire-risk in earthy, forested areas. The fire could smoulder in the ground for a long time before suddenly flaring up. Avoid lighting a fire near to ant-heaps or tree stumps.
  
  
• Do not light a fire directly on or next to flat rocks. They become discoloured and could crack.
  
  
• The fireplace is not the place for refuse. Do not put any refuse which cannot be burnt up into the fire. Dispose of it in the right way.
  
  
• You may use branches, twigs and pine cones lying on the ground as fuel for the fire. You must not damage live trees.

How to extinguish the fire
Let the fire burn down completely. Extinguish it properly with water, then poke it so that the embers die out. Dig up the earth under the ashes until there are no signs of glowing embers or smoke left. A small trowel and a container for carrying water are useful items to take along with you.

        If the fire spreads
If possible, alert the fire brigade by phoning 112 if you lose control over the fire. Try to prevent the fire from spreading in the direction of the wind. Use bunches of branches from small pine or juniper trees which can be broken off up to about 1 metre from the top of the tree. These are better than leafy branches. It is best to wet the branches. Do not beat at the fire with large strokes as the sparks will fly around and spread the fire. Sweep burning pieces towards the fire, whilst at the same time pressing the branches against the ground to smother the flames. Throw brushwood and twigs out of the way, and pull up moss in the path of the fire.

                If your clothes catch fire

• If your clothes catch fire throw yourself quickly to the ground and roll around.
  
  
• If someone else's clothes catch fire, lay the person on the ground. Smother the fire using a blanket or jacket. Cover from the head downwards so that the flames are prevented from reaching the face. Remember that nylon and similar fabrics can flare up or melt and cause even worse damage.
  
  
• Cool down burning clothes and burn injuries with cold water. Do not remove clothes that are stuck to the skin. Continue cooling the injuries until the pain stops (about 10 minutes). Seek medical attention.

                Be careful when camping

• Never have an open fire or glowing coals inside the tent or under the canopy. A tent can quickly catch fire, giving off highly toxic gases. Always have a knife handy so that you can cut your way out and escape quickly.
  
  
• Never pour fuel into the camping stove's burner until you have made sure the flame has burnt out and the burner has cooled down, otherwise the fuel could flare up and you run the risk of severe burn injuries.
  
  
• At the campsite it is important to keep a proper distance between tents, caravans and motor homes to reduce the risk of fire - if possible, at least 4 metres.
  
  
• Grills, hot plates etc. should not be closer than 1 metre to the tent.
  
  
• Check that all pipes and connections for the bottled gas are undamaged and properly tightened to prevent any leakage.
  
  
• Take note of where fire fighting equipment and alarm systems are located.

  
     

Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Produced by Contactor marknadskommunikation AB.