Making fires carefully regulated in Uutela and other outdoor areas

– Unauthorised campfires are a safety risk even when no wildfire warning has been issued. Dry reed fields and shore grass, in particular, catch fire very easily from sparks flying from campfires, reminds the City of Helsinki Rescue Department.

You always need the landowner’s permission to make an open fire or collect firewood.

Making an open fire is not part of everyman’s rights. It always requires permission from the landowner. Making open fires is always prohibited in nature areas in the terrain, on the rocks and shore areas as well as beaches. Any fire that can spread through sparks or along the ground is considered open fire.

Cutting down and damaging trees and collecting wood material from the terrain are not part of everyman’s rights and are not permitted in the City of Helsinki's nature areas.

– Move responsibly in nature without leaving traces, and take wild animals and other people into account. Research the area in advance, as nature reserves have their own protection regulations. The new protection regulation signs in protected areas display the most relevant rules for visitors, says Nature Supervisor Mari Ahrenberg.

Making fires always prohibited in nature reserves and Suomenlinna

Making fires and barbecuing are prohibited in all nature reserves in Helsinki. The current nature reserves in Helsinki do not have official campfire sites. Making open fires and barbecuing are also prohibited in the fortress and park areas in Suomenlinna.

Barbequeing allowed in parks in Helsinki when there is no wildfire warning

Grilling in parks in Helsinki is authorised by the landowner, i.e. the City of Helsinki. Grills may be used on a non-combustible hard surface in the park, but not in grassland areas. Campfires are prohibited in parks as well.

Several new barbeque sites have been built in parks in recent years by popular demand in participatory budgeting projects.

Grilling in parks is prohibited during wildfire warnings. The prohibition also applies to disposable grills and kettle grills.

Responsible fires

• Always check the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s website in advance for any wildfire warnings in the area. During wildfire warnings, making fire in outdoor areas managed by the City of Helsinki is only allowed in campfire sites equipped with a flue, the majority of which are cooking shelters.
• Bring your own firewood or charcoal. Never collect burning material from nature. Only a few campfire sites maintained by the City of Helsinki have a firewood maintenance service.
• Always handle fire with extreme caution, prevent fire from spreading and extinguish the fire carefully. The person starting the fire is always responsible for the fire.
• Dispose of used and cooled charcoal or disposable grills appropriately, only in containers reserved for them. Do not put hot charcoal in the litter bin.