Making a fire is part of nature expeditions for many. It is a pleasure to cook your picnic on a campfire; a bonfire creates a cosy atmosphere and allows us to experience something that is hard to reach in our modern times. However, making a fire is not an everyman’s right; you need a permission from the landowner. At Uuvi’s recreation areas, visitors are only allowed to make a fire at the specific campfire sites marked on the map. If a forest fire warning is in place, you are not allowed to make a fire anywhere.
An established campfire site is always off the ground and never a circle or pile of stones on the ground or rock. The restrictions on making a fire are not there to cause annoyance but to enhance safety and protect nature.
Rescue Act
According to the Rescue Act, any fire that may spread via the ground or through sparks is considered an open fire. The above risks are always there when making a fire. At Uuvi, we consider a twig stove an open fire, referred to in the Rescue Act, due to its spark risk; thus, using one is prohibited outside the campfire sites.
Sparks and smouldering
Resin-rich wood such as pine or spruce is particularly prone to sparking, which may then spread uncontrollably and ignite a fire, for example, up in treetops. A fire lit directly on the ground can cause smouldering as the ground becomes hot. The remnants of the fire can smoulder and spread within root systems, and a new fire may ignite away from the original campfire. A fire lit directly on a rock erodes the rock which will never regenerate. Anyone lighting an illicit fire may be ordered to pay damages or day fines.
Forest fire warning
When a forest fire or grass fire warning is in place, making a fire at Uuvi’s campfire sites is forbidden and the ban applies to all types of fires. It is important to always check the forest fire warning before lighting a fire. The person lighting a fire is responsible for ensuring that the fire does not spread and is also liable to pay damages in case of an accident.
Firewood
The recreation areas with an official campfire site also feature a woodshed next to it. You can only use Uuvi’s firewood or wood you have brought with you at the campfire sites. Felling or damaging trees is prohibited. The firewood in the woodshed is only for the campfire and must not be taken home. Maintaining a campfire site would not be possible at some of the recreation areas, and for this reason, among others, some areas do not feature one.
Alternatives to fire
A busy campfire site is not a reason to make an illicit fire somewhere near the proper place; you must wait for your turn. A fire is illicit even if it is made in the place of an illicit fire started by someone else. You must also not light an illicit fire in a place where you would enjoy sitting admiring the scenery.
When you are hiking, you can use your own camp stove; its use is not dependent on the place or forest fire warnings. Or bring a picnic that does not need to be heated – or maybe keep a frankfurters warm in a flask.
Recipe: Frankfurters in a thermos flask
Place the frankfurters in the thermos flask and pour boiling water over them. Enjoy when you’re hungry!
