Overview
- Regional outlets in Berlin, Bochum, Dresden, Hamburg, Velbert, Neukirchen‑Vluyn and Gladbeck list dozens of public bonfires, with most events scheduled for Saturday, April 4.
- Rules vary by municipality, as Velbert limits permits to churches, clubs and other organizers, bans private fires and warns of fines starting at €250 for illegal burns.
- Bochum allows small private Easter fires during the holiday period without a special permit if strict rules are met, including a 1×1 meter fire size, night quiet hours and on‑site extinguishing gear.
- Nature groups urge safer practices to protect wildlife and air quality, recommending fresh stacking or reshuffling wood piles on the day of the burn, using only clean pruning wood and disposing of ash as waste.
- Volunteer fire brigades, clubs and church groups anchor most events, with large local lineups such as 18 registered fires in Neukirchen‑Vluyn and citywide gatherings in Hamburg from the Elbstrand to neighborhood parks.