Rules · Fire

Fire and the
wildfire season

Decree 245/025 bans open-air fires and burning nationwide from 1 November to 30 April every year. SINAE, the national emergency system, can extend the period.

Decree 245/025 on IMPO →

Fire calendar

Today, 26 October: the national ban does not apply. It starts on 1 November.

Open-air fires bannedNo national ban (local rules still apply)

Even in season

The three exceptions

Grills

Cooking food on a grill (parrillero).

Designated places

In the places set aside for it at organised campsites, holiday camps and clubs.

Fire pit on private land

At ground level, in a cleared circle of 5 m or more, surrounded by stones, sand or soil.

Where it is allowed

Safe fire pit

The 5 m figure comes from the decree. The rest is good practice.

1Cleared circle5 m or more with no dry grass, branches or leaves.
2EdgeStones, sand or soil around the fire.
3Watch itNever leave the fire alone; keep water at hand.
4Put it outWater, stir the embers and wet them again until no heat is left.

Illustrative diagram, not to scale. Cleared ground, no dry grass.

If you break the rules

Penalties

Decree 245/025 sets no fines of its own: it refers to other rules.

Penal Code, art. 206A fire that endangers people or other people’s property.12 months to 16 years in prison
Law 15.896, art. 2Fire policing regulations.10 to 200 UR
Decree 584/990, art. 6A fire pit that breaks the conditions, in the coastal strip of 6 departments.10 to 100 UR
Law 20.238Forest fire prevention.100 to 5,000 UR
Decree 52/005Lighting a fire at a non-designated site in a protected area.10 to 1,000 UR

Daily risk

Today’s fire risk

INUMET, the national weather service, publishes the Forest Fire Risk Index (IRIF). Check it before you go, also outside the season. This site does not show the index live.

Go to INUMET →

Frequent questions

Can I use a gas stove during the season?

The rule does not say. The decree speaks of “open-air fires and burning” and does not mention stoves. Ask at the campsite or the fire brigade.

And outside the season?

The national ban does not apply, but each campsite’s and protected area’s rules, the fire pit conditions of Decree 584/990 on the coastal strip and the crime of arson still do.

Can I light a fire on the beach?

In Montevideo it is banned on the beaches; in Canelones it is a serious offence and in San José a 1947 decree bans it. Elsewhere the departmental rules do not say, and in season the national ban applies.

I read that it is allowed in urban areas

That exception was in the previous decree (436/007), repealed by Decree 245/025. Some 2025 press articles still mention it.