Denmark warns of high fire risk for St. John’s Eve celebrations

The Danish Emergency Management Agency (Beredskabsstyrelsen) has classified fire danger as high in several regions ahead of St. John’s Eve on 23 June, including parts of Odense, Nordjylland, Vestjylland and the Copenhagen area. Officials advise keeping bonfires at a safe distance from dry vegetation, buildings with thatched roofs and to monitor wind conditions. Insurance firm GF Forsikring urges people to use non‑flammable bases for grills, have water or soda bottles nearby, and follow any local fire bans.

In Borre, a St. John’s Eve bonfire spread to nearby grass and forest before fire crews contained it within an hour. In Aalborg’s Fjordbyen district, strong winds prevented the planned bonfire from being lit, leading organizers to cancel the event. While no nationwide ban has been issued, the authorities stress vigilance and adherence to safety guidelines to prevent wildfires.

Overall, the high fire‑risk outlook and recent incidents underscore the need for precautions during the traditional celebrations across Denmark.