Starting Saturday, several cities are expected to outlaw public grilling.
Light the Flame, Be Cautious with the Ban## The Grilling Ban: Nordrhein-Westfalen's Summer Surprise
02:18 . Available until 19.06.2027.
Last Updated: 19.06.2025, 17:23 Uhr
With summer upon us, many folks are eager to soak up the sun and unwind in the great outdoors. Throwing a grill party, spending the entire day picnicking, or simply unwinding in a blanketed evening — minus the hassle, right? But alas, mother nature's wrath and warm temperatures could put a damper on those plans.
Starting this weekend, a potential grilling ban may greet you in cities and communities across North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). The culprit: the grassland fire index. It's times like these when you just want to hit the road, but the heat and dryness might just derail your outdoor adventures.
Get the Lowdown
In Bochum, grilling on open ground and in parks has been prohibited since Wednesday. As the weekend rolls in, the grilling ban could spread to other cities and communities in NRW, as well. The grassland fire index serves as the basis for these restrictions.
- Exploring Grilling Regulations in Bochum's Outdoor Spaces | More
- What is the Grassland Fire Index?
- Where can I find the Index for my City?
- Where can I grill during the ban?
- What guidelines apply to grilling?
- Who keeps tabs on the grilling scene?
- What fines await those who skirt the rules?
- What rules apply to backyard grilling?
What's the Deal with the Grassland Fire Index?
The grassland fire index is an early warning system that helps you estimate the likelihood of grassland fires based on meteorological data such as temperature, wind speed, precipitation, and relative humidity.
To simplify things, think of the index simply as a description of the fire risk on open ground. The German Weather Service (DWD) calculates the index and classifies it into five levels: from level 1 ("low") to level 5 ("extreme").
Okay, So What's the Index's Score in My City?
While Bochum has already put a ban on public grilling in green spaces since level 3, cities like Duisburg and Gelsenkirchen only enforce the restrictions from level 4. Each municipality in NRW regulates this differently.
Meteorologist Jürgen Vogt of our website predicts the index to rise even further in the coming days, leading to potential grilling bans in additional cities and communities. So, pay heed and keep a watchful eye on the German Weather Service website to stay informed:
- Grassland Fire Index in NRW | More
Alright, But Where Can I Grill During the Ban?
Each municipality in NRW handles this differently. Some have designated grilling areas, while others prohibit charcoal grilling in certain parks. Check with your local municipality for the specifics.
Keep in mind, grilling is generally forbidden in forests across NRW, as stated in the state forest law.
What's the Deal with the Grilling Guidelines?
In general, you shouldn't endanger yourself or others by emitting smoke, odor, or ash. Furthermore, you're to maintain your environment and not create a mess or harm the ground. Plus, disposing of any trash is a must.
Who's Responsible for the Enforcement of These Rules?
The responsibility falls on the municipalities. Local public order offices ensure everyone complies with the rules everywhere, although Facebook users claim this isn't happening often enough in some areas.
Facebook Embed Warning: This element contains data from Facebook. You can disable the embedding on our privacy page.
What Fines Will I Face for Illicit Grilling?
Each municipality in NRW imposes different fines, ranging from:
- 5 euros in Münster
- 20 euros in Dortmund
- 25 euros in Cologne
- 50 euros in Bonn
What Regulations Apply to Grilling at Home?
Lucky are those who own a home. They can grill without limitations. The grassland fire index only pertains to grilling in public spaces. "That's what lawyer Stephan Dingert from the Home Ownership Association in Dortmund says.
In an apartment building, however, grilling on the balcony of an owned or rented apartment could be banned by the building's rules or the rental agreement, as Dingert points out.
So, if you plan to throw a backyard party with friends and family, inform your neighbors or simply invite them to avoid any unpleasant incidents. Happy grilling, dear friends!
Our sources:
- Grassland fire index of the DWD
- Our website - meteorologist Jürgen Vogt
- Home Ownership Association NRW
- Fines catalog.org
- Websites of several NRW cities
User Comments
Comment area
5 Comments
- Comment 5: Frank writes on today, 18:16: "In theory, others should not be endangered or bothered by smoke, odor, or ash." If only the same applied to those who ignore reality and consider their own comfort. Living near an allotment garden, I find myself faced with unwelcome and overwhelming odors of alcohol and smoke. All complaints to the city and public authorities have fallen on deaf ears. It's a disastrous situation that cries out for a change!read more
Replies* Comment 4: Uncle Willi from Cologne writes on today, 18:07: "Fire in the open air - grilling in the forest, meadow, or similar areas is strictly forbidden, especially in high summer. Consider opting for careful grilling, smokeless barbecues, or other options for your meal.read more
Replies* Comment 3: Eric writes on today, 18:03: "You hit the nail on the head!"read more
Replies* Comment 2: Kasimir Winterhall writes on today, 15:19: "It's issues we wouldn't face without certain population groups. Or is this something that's been going on for a while?"read more
Replies* Comment 1: Heinz Meller writes on today, 08:34:
Well, a tentative solution might work in theory, but who's going to enforce it? Can the local authorities and police really rally hundreds of officers to clear crowds of people barbecuing in parks when they fail to comply with the rules? We all know the changes in our societal makeup and the speed at which situations can escalate. In Düsseldorf, for instance, the local authorities confronted multiple groups grilling on multiple lawns, in violation of the grilling ban, but chose the wrong approach: they harassed certain individuals, including teenagers and young adults, instead of addressing the broader issue.read more
- More in-depth reports on grilling regulations in Bochum could help warn other cities about potential fire risks.
- General-news outlets should cover the grassland fire index levels across NRW and explain its implications for public grilling.
