Despite recent rain, authorities in several parts of Austria are keeping restrictions on grilling, smoking and open flames in place because of the continued risk of forest fires.
There is no single nationwide ban. Forest-fire regulations, known as Waldbrandverordnungen, are generally issued by district authorities, meaning the rules and expiry dates can differ depending on where you are.
The regulations normally apply inside forests and within the surrounding Gefährdungsbereich, or danger zone.
This can include gardens, fields, meadows and other land close enough for flames, heat or flying sparks to reach the forest.
Vienna’s public grilling areas remain closed
Vienna’s current forest-fire restrictions prohibit smoking, lighting fires, using open flames and using shishas in forests and their danger zones.
Grilling is also banned at all public barbecue areas, including the official grill zones and reservable sites around the Donauinsel.
The restrictions have been in force since May and will remain until the city records sufficient sustained rainfall.
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Grilling in a private garden is still permitted when the property lies outside a forest’s danger zone. The city is nevertheless asking residents to take particular care because of the dry conditions.
Vienna’s forestry department told ORF that short periods of heavy rain hadn’t allowed enough water to soak deeply into the ground.
Dry leaves and needles have also created large amounts of flammable material, while severe drying has affected the entire Donauinsel.
Lower Austria has bans across all its districts
Lower Austria’s official forest-fire portal links to regulations issued by all of the province’s district authorities and its four statutory cities. The exact wording and duration should be checked for the district where you plan to spend time outdoors.
Lower Austria explains that a forest-fire regulation prohibits lighting any kind of fire within the area it covers.
This includes barbecues, campfires and traditional bonfires such as summer-solstice fires.
The restrictions can extend beyond the forest itself to neighbouring meadows, fields and other land from which fire or sparks could spread into the trees.
So a barbecue may be prohibited even on private property if the site is considered part of the forest’s danger zone.
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Fire restrictions apply throughout Styria
Styria’s provincial government says forest-fire regulations apply in every district.
Lighting fires and smoking are prohibited in forests, around forest edges and close to woodland where local conditions would allow fire to spread.
The restriction applies to everyone, including people who might ordinarily have permission to light or maintain a fire for forestry or land-management purposes.
Some district regulations define a fixed distance around forests. Others determine the danger zone according to the terrain, vegetation and weather conditions.
Violations can result in fines of up to €7,270 or up to four weeks’ imprisonment.
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Restrictions are in force across Upper Austria
Forest-fire regulations have been issued across all 15 of Upper Austria’s political districts, as well as in the statutory cities of Linz, Steyr and Wels.
The regulations generally prohibit lighting fires and smoking in forests and their danger zones, although their wording and expiry dates vary.
In Vöcklabruck district, for example, lighting fires and smoking are prohibited in forests and their danger zones until October 31st.
Similar rules apply in Gmunden district, where open fire, smoking and handling exposed flames or lights are prohibited in and around forests.
Residents should check the latest regulation from their district authority or statutory city before planning a barbecue, campfire or other activity involving open flames near woodland.
All seven Burgenland districts have restrictions
Current forest-fire regulations cover all seven of Burgenland’s political districts: Eisenstadt-Umgebung, Güssing, Jennersdorf, Mattersburg, Neusiedl am See, Oberpullendorf and Oberwart.
The regulations prohibit lighting fires and smoking in forests.
Depending on the district, the restrictions may also expressly cover surrounding danger zones, handling open flames and using fireworks or other pyrotechnics.
Several of the regulations remain in force until October 31st.
Carinthia’s political districts also have bans
Forest-fire restrictions have also been issued in all eight of Carinthia’s political districts: Feldkirchen, Hermagor, Klagenfurt-Land, Spittal an der Drau, St Veit an der Glan, Villach-Land, Völkermarkt and Wolfsberg.
The regulations generally prohibit lighting fires and smoking in forests and on nearby land from which flames or sparks could spread.
The wording and expiry dates vary between districts, so residents should consult the latest notice from the relevant district authority.
Salzburg City’s earlier ban has been lifted
Salzburg City introduced a forest-fire and public grilling ban in April, but lifted it on June 17th after conditions improved.
Its municipal barbecue sites reopened at that point.
The repeal applies specifically to Salzburg City. People elsewhere in Salzburg province should still check the latest notice from their district authority before lighting a fire or using a barbecue near woodland.
The Salzburg example also shows how quickly local restrictions can change. An earlier announcement or warning shared online may no longer reflect the current legal position.
READ ALSO: Five offences you can be fined for in Austria's great outdoors
What should you check before grilling?
Look for the latest regulation from the relevant Bezirkshauptmannschaft, or district authority, rather than assuming the same rules apply across an entire province.
Pay attention to notices at forests, parks, campsites and public grilling areas. A site that normally permits barbecues can be temporarily closed.
Don’t assume private property is automatically exempt. A garden, field or holiday-home terrace near woodland may fall within the danger zone.
Cigarettes, shisha coals, fireworks and vehicles parked in high, dry grass can also start fires.
Any smoke or suspected forest fire should be reported immediately to the fire brigade by calling 122.
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Key vocabulary
die Waldbrandverordnung - forest-fire regulation
das Grillverbot - grilling ban
das offene Feuer - open fire
der Gefährdungsbereich - danger zone around a forest
die Bezirkshauptmannschaft - district authority
der Funkenflug - flying sparks
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