Valborg is expected to offer a taste of early summer, according to SMHI's forecast for the upcoming long weekend. At the same time, however, there is a warning of a high risk of grass or forest fires in most of Sweden.
This is especially true for the May bonfires, says Lars Brodin, an expert at the Swedish Fire Protection Association.
Many people underestimate radiant heat. It can be quite a few meters from the fire before the radiant heat is strong enough to ignite things, he says.
Smaller fire?
One tip is therefore to divide the fire and add more material gradually.
You don't need to build that giant bonfire right away, says Lars Brodin.
Some other concrete tips for bonfires are to check what applies to outdoor burning in the municipality in question and to build the bonfire at a safe distance from buildings and other things that could be damaged.
In most cases, this is not a problem. If you are in a large, open area and the ground is not super dry, there are not that many risks. But you need to keep an eye on the wind direction, for example.
Often, the fire department would also like you to report where you are going to have your fire so that they know about it.
Tips about the app
Most of the advice also applies to anyone who just wants to burn some brushwood or branches at home in the yard.
It's the same thing there, you have to check what applies in the municipality. In some municipalities, for example, you are not allowed to burn more than a few weeks in the spring and a few in the fall.
For those who want more advice or want to keep track of fire risks in the local area, Lars Brodin recommends the app "Brandrisk ute" from the Swedish Civil Defence Agency.
There you can get a current fire risk forecast and tips on what you need to consider when lighting a fire outdoors, he says.
Here are some short tips to make the Valborg fire safer.
Check what applies to outdoor fires in your municipality. May bonfires and other fires in public places also require a police permit.
Build a safe fire. Keep an eye on the distance to buildings and the wind direction, among other things. Check for animals, such as hedgehogs, that may have overwintered in the brushwood pile.
Have equipment ready, such as a water hose nearby and shovels or rakes that can be used to put out small fires. Have a charged phone so you can call the police if the fire spreads.
Keep an eye on the fire and don't leave it too early - check carefully that there are no embers left afterwards and douse the ash pile with water.
Source: The Swedish Fire Protection Association.
