Easter bonfire

Customary bonfires are only permitted if they do not endanger or significantly disturb the neighborhood or the general public (§ 7 LImschG NRW). The regulatory ordinance of the pilgrimage town of Kevelaer dated 21.12.2010 applies.

The following must be observed in connection with the traditional bonfire:

1. The bonfire must be organized by a religious community, an organization, a private household or a corresponding association anchored in the local community with a view to preserving customs. This includes Easter bonfires on Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday or Easter Monday.
2. Fires whose purpose is to dispose of plant waste by simply burning it are not considered traditional fires (even if they are lit at Easter, for example) and are not permitted without an individual permit. Your city/municipal administration will provide you with further details.
3. Customary bonfires must be reported in writing to the local regulatory authority at least 10 days before they are held. You can obtain a corresponding form there.
4. Only green plant waste (e.g. untreated wood, tree and shrub cuttings and other plant residues) may be burned.
5. The burning of coated/treated wood (this also includes treated pallets, formwork boards, etc.) and other waste (e.g. old tires, bulky waste) is prohibited.
6. Other substances, in particular mineral oils, mineral oil products or other waste, may not be used to light or maintain the fire.
7. The fuel may only be piled up at the fireplace immediately before lighting so that animals cannot seek shelter in it and are thus protected from burning. If necessary, the burning material must be rearranged again before lighting in order to remove foreign matter.
8. The fire must burn down completely within a few hours (usually from dusk to midnight). A fire that smoulders for several days is not compatible with tradition.
9. The bonfire must be supervised at all times by two people, one of whom must be over 18 years of age. These persons may only leave the burning area once the fire and embers have been extinguished.
10. The fire must not be lit in strong winds and must be extinguished immediately if strong winds arise.
11. The supervisors are responsible for ensuring that the provisions of the regulatory ordinance (i.e. this information sheet) for the respective bonfire are complied with and are jointly and severally liable with the organizer for all private and public law claims based on the burning process.
12. Incineration residues and sorted waste must be disposed of properly within one week. Otherwise, unauthorized waste storage must be assumed.
13. If the traditional bonfire is burned within a radius of 4 km around an airport reference point and within a distance of 1.5 km from landing sites and gliding areas, it must be noted that the bonfire may only be burned with the consent of the air traffic control or air traffic control. Organizers must obtain this consent in good time beforehand. If this is not obtained, the bonfire may not be lit.
14. Depending on the size of the bonfire, the following minimum distances must be observed:

A. for fireplaces up to a volume of 1 m³ at least 25 m from buildings intended for human habitation

B. for all other fireplaces up to a height of 3.50 m

1. at least 100 m from buildings intended for human habitation,
2. 25 m from other structures
3. 50 m from public traffic areas and
4. 10 m from paved farm tracks.

Violations can be punished with a fine.

• Display for a traditional bonfire