Often, the local fire departments themselves host the burning of the Easter fires. Elsewhere, the regulatory authorities require them to monitor the fires to ensure that nothing happens. Whether and under what conditions Easter bonfires are permitted in one's own backyard depends on the regulations, which vary from region to region. Information is provided by the public order offices. Above all, it's a matter of safety.

The fire departments therefore give twelve safety tips for the Easter fire:

  • Don't forget to register your Easter fire with the local authority responsible for it - you will avoid an annoying misuse by the fire department, which may be subject to a fee.
  • Use only dry plant remains and untreated wood - for the sake of the environment. Plastics such as plastic bags and car tires, but also other waste have no place in the Easter fire.
  • Remember to rearrange the combustible material shortly before lighting it so that your Easter fire does not become a flame trap for animals.
  • Keep a safe distance from buildings and trees (at least 50 meters) and from roads (at least 100 meters) because of smoke and heat. Be aware of the main wind direction.
  • Use caution when lighting. Flammable liquids as fire accelerants pose a high risk!
  • Open fires must always be supervised. Make sure that the fire cannot spread uncontrolled. Watch out for small children. They quickly succumb to the fascination of fire and underestimate the danger unknown to them.
  • Do not burn too much material at once; avoid dangerous flying sparks.
  • Straw bales can ignite from heat radiation alone and are therefore a dangerous place to sit.
  • Avoid smoke nuisance from overly moist material - your neighbors will thank you.
  • Keep an access road clear for the fire and rescue services.
  • Cool minor burns immediately with water: for a maximum of ten minutes (tap water temperature 10 to 20 degrees Celsius). In the case of extensive burns and substances adhering to the skin, only primary extinguishing should be carried out. Prolonged cooling will lead to complications. Immediately alert the emergency physician via the emergency number 112.
  • As the organizer or person in charge, leave the fire site only when it has completely cooled down.
  • If your fire gets out of control, do not hesitate to immediately alert the fire department by calling 112. The more than one million men and women in the German fire departments are ready for action around the clock, even over Easter, to help in times of need and danger.
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    Already the old Egyptians...

    Of course, the fire departments wish all Easter fire fans the joy of exorcising winter with this annual ritual. That, at least, is the original meaning of the fires. The pagan custom was to accompany the change from winter to spring. But according to tradition, the ancient Egyptians also lit large funeral pyres. They were supposed to attract the sun to the earth. The custom was later adopted by the Christians. According to this, a small fire was blessed by a priest on Easter Eve. On it the priest lit a candle, which was then carried into the dark church. The Easter candle symbolized Christ as the light of the world.

    Nowadays, the religious occasion has rather faded into the background. Easter bonfires became a popular meeting place in towns and villages and take place - depending on the region - on Good Friday, Saturday or Sunday and occasionally still on Easter Monday.