Prague City Imposes Restriction on Bonfires in Vulnerable Areas until Saturday

In response to a fire risk alert issued today by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, an ordinance prohibiting the ignition of fires in areas at higher risk of fire is currently in effect in Prague until Saturday, August 26, 2023 (00:00).

The Mayor of Prague, Bohuslav Svoboda, stated, “I urge all responsible residents of Prague to adhere to these emergency measures. Safeguarding the safety of our capital and its inhabitants stands as our shared priority.”

Jana Komrsková, Deputy Mayor, also shared her thoughts, saying, “In light of recent global fires, the gravity of climate change appears evident to us all. Thankfully, the frequency and scale of fires remain manageable. Prague’s firefighters have responded to over a hundred natural environment fires since early June, totaling more than 540 this summer. I wish to express gratitude to those who comply with the fire ignition ban and approach the situation seriously. Our climate strategy strives to optimize water retention in the landscape and avert future issues.”

In accordance with Regulation No. 6/2019 Coll., certain conditions are regarded as fire hazards during times of heightened fire risk, as stipulated by the City of Prague’s regulation ensuring fire protection during such periods:

(a) Forest vegetation and its immediate vicinity within 50 meters from its boundary,
(b) Areas featuring forest parks, parks, gardens, and other vegetation prone to fire occurrence and propagation,
(c) Hay and straw storage units and their surrounding space within 50 meters from their perimeter,
(d) Agricultural crop zones with vegetation capable of igniting and spreading fire.

As per the Ordinance, the subsequent activities are prohibited in these zones during times of escalated fire danger:

(a) Initiation or maintenance of open fires (e.g., burning of twigs, barks, flammable substances in the open),
(b) Smoking (excluding electronic cigarettes),
(c) Usage of pyrotechnic devices,
(d) Utilization of other ignition sources like sky lanterns, flying lanterns, torches,
(e) Discarding burning or smoldering objects,
(f) Operation of a steam locomotive unless fire prevention measures are in place,
(g) Extraction of water from firefighting sources for non-firefighting purposes.