Jul 02, 2025

Prague Extends Ban on Outdoor Fires Amid Rising Heat Risk

Kathy Zabinski

As temperatures in Czechia climb to dangerous levels, Prague officials have extended the city-wide ban on outdoor fires until further notice.

The decision, announced following a fire danger warning by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute on Wednesday, aims to reduce the growing risk of wildfires in the region.

The ban was initially set to expire on Tuesday, later extended to Wednesday, and now remains in effect indefinitely. The extension applies to all areas deemed high-risk for fire ignition and spread, as outlined by city regulations.

According to fire safety rules defined by the Prague City Hall, the following areas are considered at increased fire risk:

  • Forests and areas within 50 meters of their edges
  • Parks, forest parks, gardens, and other vegetation zones
  • Hay and straw storage areas and their immediate surroundings
  • Agricultural fields where dry crops could ignite easily

In these areas, several activities are strictly prohibited during periods of elevated fire risk:

  • Starting or maintaining an open fire, such as burning leaves, branches, or waste
  • Smoking, with the exception of electronic cigarettes
  • Using fireworks, firecrackers, or other pyrotechnics
  • Lighting flying lanterns, torches, or similar ignition sources
  • Discarding burning or smoldering objects, including cigarette butts
  • Operating steam locomotives without approved fire safety precautions
  • Using firefighting water for non-emergency purposes

The ban is designed to prevent avoidable fires as weather conditions become increasingly volatile.

Meteorologists expect temperatures to soar past 35°C in many parts of the Czech Republic this week, with some lowland regions approaching 37°C. These conditions, combined with dry vegetation, significantly raise the risk of wildfires.

Residents and visitors are urged to respect the restrictions and stay alert to updates from official sources.

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