WARNING – Very high risk of fire
26 / 06 / 2026 | 14:00
Very high risk of fire – General ban on lighting fires outdoors
Due to a very high risk of fire, the Canton of Valais has imposed a general ban on lighting fires outdoors, with effect from Thursday 25 June 2026. On private land in urban areas, barbecues remain permitted subject to certain strict conditions. The public are asked to follow the instructions issued by the local authorities.
Following a very dry spring, a severe drought has taken hold in Valais, exacerbated by a major heatwave during the second half of June 2026. Most regions of the canton of Valais have reached a high to very high level of forest fire risk. The end of the heatwave, expected next week, and the light rainfall forecast are unlikely to improve the overall situation.
For this reason, the Head of the Department of Security, Institutions and Sport (DSIS) has decided, with effect from Thursday 25 June 2026, to impose a general ban on lighting fires outdoors throughout the canton.
Barbecues, however, remain permitted only on private land in residential/urban areas and under the responsibility of the person lighting the barbecue, provided that the barbecues are placed on a non-flammable base (concrete base, stone paving, etc.) at least 10 metres from any flammable surface or vegetation (fields, bushes, etc., and 100 metres from woodland).
The public are asked to strictly follow the instructions issued by the local authorities and to do everything possible to protect forests, meadows, mountain pastures and residential areas from fire. The official supervisory bodies will report any offenders to the relevant authority.
The situation can only improve if there is sustained rainfall lasting at least two to three days and totalling more than 30 mm/m². Short-lived showers and thunderstorms have very little impact on the current risk situation. Should there be a significant change in the situation, further measures will be taken and communicated.
In the event of a fire, act according to the following principle: Raise the alarm (118) – Rescue – Extinguish
