Is it illegal to light a fire in the forest? How much is the penalty?
We researched the prohibitions set in accordance with the Forest Law and the amounts of prison and judicial fines for lighting fires in the forest.
Especially when the autumn and winter seasons come, we want to immerse ourselves in the lush atmosphere of nature. When this lush atmosphere is combined with intense oxygen, it almost feels like a relaxing medicine for our body. When we listen to our souls and find ourselves in the depths of the forest, we may want to spend a few days camping, rather than just spending a few hours. In fact, we are among those who think that there can be no more enjoyable activity than chatting or reading a book while warming up by the fire on a quiet route. However, at this point, issues such as camping in the forest and fire bans come up against the routine in question. Especially after the forest fires, which unfortunately come to the fore due to the intense temperatures in the summer months, the subject of entrances and exits and fire is very much wondered. “Is it possible to camp for free in the forests?” We shared an article titled and mentioned the current penalty rates. Today, we will talk about the penalty of lighting fire in the forest, which you may be exposed to in prohibited areas, even if you have permission to camp. Let's evaluate together.
Is Fire Forbidden In The Forest?
Forest entries, which were banned in July last year due to widespread forest fires across the country, were lifted on August 31, 2022. Therefore, it became possible to enter the forests or to set up tents at the allowed points. In the same prohibition period, picnics, barbecues, samovar and fires were prohibited in forests in line with Article 74 of the Forest Law No. 6831 and Articles 9 and 66 of the Provincial Administration Law No. 5442.
With the lifting of previous bans, there are no bans on entering forests or making fires today. However, the emergence of forest fires, especially when the summer season is entered, carries the possibility of causing a ban again. So much so that if you enter the forest and start a fire in these prohibited situations, you may have to pay a certain amount determined by the Forest Law and even a prison sentence.
What is the penalty for lighting a fire in the forest?
According to the bans announced by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Turkey, a certain amount of penalty has been determined for those who do not comply with the rules of entering the forest and lighting a fire. In accordance with Article 74 of the Forest Law No. 6831 and Articles 9 and 66 of the Provincial Administration Law No. 5442, a rule was determined that the following penalties could be applied.
For people who do not comply with the rules set in the Forest Law:
- Forest fire committed by negligence: Persons who cause forest fires in violation of the duty of care and attention are sentenced to imprisonment from two to seven years.
- Intentionally committed forest fire: Persons who deliberately and knowingly burn the forest are sentenced to imprisonment of not less than ten years and a judicial fine of up to ten thousand.
- Neglected forest fire: It is forbidden to burn stubble or vegetation at a distance of four kilometers from the forests or within the villages determined by the law. At this point, those who commit negligence are punished with imprisonment from one year to three years and a judicial fine.
The above penalty provisions are applied for crimes of causing forest fire determined by the Ministry of Justice. If you do not cause a fire in a forest area and still encounter a ban and start a barbecue or fire, you may be subject to a fine of 400-600 TL within the framework of the Misdemeanor Law. In order to avoid these penalties, you can get permission by contacting the authorities of the forest you have visited and learning about the prohibitions on making fire in advance.
As Campalow, we mentioned the prohibitions of burning fires in the forest in our guide and examined the possible penalty amounts. If you are wondering about such current camping bans, we have recently published "Is it possible to set up tents on the beaches?" We also recommend that you evaluate our guide. We wish you good luck with your camping plans.
