Press release

June 17, 2026, No. 99

Summer Solstice Bonfire 2026 – Important Guidelines for a Safe Celebration

Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen District. On June 21, the longest day of the year, traditional solstice bonfires will be lit in the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen District. To ensure that the festival is a safe and unforgettable experience for everyone involved, the District Office has compiled key guidelines that must be strictly observed during planning and execution.

Benedikt Pfaller from the Environmental Division points out that the fire must be at least 100 meters away from the edge of the forest, and a distance of 5 meters must be maintained from highly flammable materials and other combustible objects. The fire must be supervised at all times; when leaving the site, the fire and embers must be completely extinguished. In strong winds, the fire must be extinguished immediately to prevent it from spreading uncontrollably.

Only untreated wood may be used as fuel. Impregnated or treated wood, particleboard, furniture, used oil, used tires, or plastics are expressly prohibited, and their use constitutes an administrative offense. Lighting open fires in the forest is prohibited under the Bavarian Forest Act.

To hold a solstice celebration, you must submit a timely prior notice to the relevant city or municipality. Local authorities decide on a case-by-case basis—taking into account the current wildfire danger index—whether to approve the fire and may impose additional requirements to minimize fire hazards. Additionally, the property owner’s consent must be obtained before lighting the fire.

The Oberland Integrated Control Center must be notified of the planned bonfire (Tel. 0881 / 92585100). This allows for rapid coordination in case of an emergency. The St. John’s Fire may be used exclusively for its traditional purpose; any other use, such as a protest bonfire, must be applied for under the right of assembly with Department 32—Public Safety and Order.

We ask all event organizers to strictly follow the guidelines listed above and to contact the district administration office early on if they have any questions, so that the 2026 Midsummer Bonfire can be celebrated safely and in keeping with tradition.

Sabine Schmid
Press spokeswoman
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen District Office