As Morski writes, a ban on lighting open fires will take effect in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County from today, and the ban will be valid until October the 31st, 2021. Very high fines will be handed out without mercy to violators. The police note that open fires can be approved only on the basis of a written request that may or may not be approved by the competent fire service for any given area within Primorje-Gorski Kotar.
Here’s what is forbidden out in the open fire-wise from June the 1st to October the 31st, 2021:
– The burning of rubbish, weeds, paper, dry grass and shrubs, bushes, dense forest vegetation, straw and corn, old branches and leaves generated during the felling of trees, plants, throwing matches, cigarette butts and other burning and glowing substances down in open areas, except in places where the determination over that is held by the legal entity that manages or owns such an open space.
– Improvised kilns, other open fireboxes and barbecues/grills used in places not designated for that purpose by the legal entities which are in charge of/manage such forests and forested areas and land, or by the competent body of the local and regional self-government unit.
An open space is considered to be a piece of agricultural land, protected parts of nature, forests, forested land, land in the immediate vicinity of a forest, land on which buildings are being used for both public and business purposes, the coastal zones, landfills, city parks and even in backyards.
The conditions under which lighting a fire out in the open is permitted in Primorje-Gorski Kotar:
Barbecues/grills done in a metal or fireproof housing and improvised barbecues placed in backyards in populated areas aren’t considered open fires under this rule. These grills can be used if there is at least a metre and a half of cleared land around them, and with the obligatory installation of a fire extinguisher or a container with the appropriate amount of water in it to put out any accidental fires.
To use improvised fireboxes, it is necessary to clean the surrounding land from all combustible substances within a radius of three metres from the edge of the grill with the installation of an initial fire extinguisher or a water container as described above.
Penalties for those who violate this law:
In the event that a fire isn’t reported, a misdemeanor report will follow, and fines for violators of this rule range from 500 to 1,000 kuna for a natural person, from 2,000 to 10,000 kuna for a legal entity, and from 1,000 to 5,000 kuna for a natural person who owns an obrt.
For those who intentionally cause fires in Primorje-Gorski Kotar, the penalties are even more rigorous. A natural person who causes a fire on purpose will be fined from 15,000 to 150,000 kuna or imprisoned for up to 60 days, and in the case of a fire being caused out of negligence, the fine will range from 2,000 to 15,000 kuna depending on the specifics in any given situation.
A legal entity that causes a fire by default will be fined from 15,000 to 150,000 kuna, and a responsible person in a legal entity will be fined anywhere between 2,000 and 15,000 kuna.
Possible causes of a fire
One tiny little moment without enough attention paid is enough to cause damage with very far-reaching consequences. Experts have warned of some of the possible causes of a fire:
– Various appliances that use electricity, gas or heating oil in use, as well as their improper handling, poor maintenance and malfunctions can cause fires with significant material damage.
– Before going on holiday or taking a trip and being away from your apartment/house, it is necessary to check and disable all sources that can cause a fire (electricity, gas, etc.),
– The disposal of flammable matches or cigarette butts in a plastic or wicker waste bin or in another container made from flammable material.
– The throwing out of cigarette butts from a vehicle window while driving.
– Leaving lighters within reach of sunlight inside a vehicle.
– Children playing with matches or a lighter, or trying to hide from adults by smoking in hidden locations.
– Decorating a space with lamps and candles, especially during holidays and celebrations.
– Lighting a campfire.
– Having a grill/barbecue in open nature.
As stated above, this rule which is set to come into force today in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County has been in force in Dalmatia since the 1st of May, 2021.
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