Prague parks see bonfires and barbecues despite fines — residents complain of noise and litter

Despite an active ban and the risk of fines, people in Prague continue to light bonfires and grill barbecues in parks and along riverbanks. Residents are venting on social media about the noise, blaring music, and litter left behind after picnics in spots like Braník swimming area, the Dalejské and Prokopské valleys, Ďáblice forest, Kunratice forest, and Hostivař.

"The police turn a blind eye to it because there are simply more offenders than officers. Maybe they should call the fire brigade, make people pay for the call-out, and hose down the offenders while they're at it," one social media user joked while commenting on the bonfire situation in the Czech capital.

Hundreds of violations over the summer

According to Irena Seifertová, spokesperson for the Prague municipal police, patrols regularly check compliance with city ordinances. Since the start of the year, Prague has recorded 391 violations related to lighting fires in prohibited areas.

"Inspectors issued 140 fines totaling 47,400 crowns, eleven cases were referred to an administrative body, and the rest were resolved with a verbal warning," Seifertová said, summing up the situation as the summer holidays draw to a close. Additionally, since January the 156 hotline has received 84 complaints from residents — most of them from Prague 5, Prague 14 (around Kyjský Pond), and Prague 15 (near the Hostivař reservoir), with another four complaints concerning Hamerský Pond.

Braník — a favorite picnic spot

The so-called Braník meadow in Prague 4 along the Vltava is especially popular for picnics and barbecues — a spot where cyclists, rollerbladers, swimmers, cold-water dippers, rowers, and grill enthusiasts all cross paths on the grass. This summer a large trash container was installed there, but scorched circles from bonfires and piles of used charcoal still keep turning up on the meadow.

According to the police representative, foreigners are often simply unaware of the current bans — as was the case during the recent emergency restrictions triggered by heat and fire risk. "Unfortunately, there were cases where people clearly knew about the ban but deliberately broke it anyway: they'd pay the fine on the spot — and do the exact same thing again the very next day," Seifertová said.

What offenders face

In emergency situations, such as during the recent severe drought, the city can introduce a special regime — a complete ban on open fire even in places where it's normally allowed, such as designated picnic spots or public fire pits. "When an emergency ordinance is declared, inspections are stepped up. Besides our own patrols, we of course respond to reports from residents via the 156 hotline," the police spokesperson explained.

Violating a city ordinance or a special order can result in an on-the-spot fine of up to 10,000 crowns, though violations can also be settled with a verbal warning or referred to an administrative body. Prague has an ordinance protecting municipal green spaces that bans lighting or maintaining open fires in parks and public gardens, as well as discarding burning or smoldering objects. Landowners can make exceptions — for instance, allowing grilling in designated spots, which are then marked with a special sign.

Read also: 8 best swimming spots near Prague: lakes, quarries, and beaches within an hour of the capital

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz