Sweden Faces Walpurgis Bonfire Bans Amid Fire Risk Surge

Multiple Swedish municipalities are expected to announce temporary bans on bonfires for Walpurgis Night celebrations on April 27 and 28. The move comes as authorities warn of a sharp increase in fire risk due to dry weather conditions. Local news outlets are already reporting on the potential bans, and online searches for "Walpurgis bonfire ban" are rising across the country. The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, or SMHI, issued a fire risk warning for southern and central Sweden on April 26. Forecasts show no rain expected until at least April 30. Several major municipalities, including Stockholm and Gothenburg, are set to decide on temporary restrictions for outdoor fires during the traditional Walpurgis Night festivities on April 30. The ban decisions are still being finalized, but local fire departments strongly advise against lighting private bonfires this year. In 2025, more than 200 grass fires were reported across Sweden during the same Walpurgis period. Authorities want to avoid a repeat of that dangerous situation. Walpurgis Night, known in Swedish as Valborgsmässoafton, is normally a time when communities gather around large bonfires to welcome spring. But this year, dry weather could put a damper on those plans. The decision-making processes are ongoing, and the outcomes are expected to make headlines within the next 48 hours.