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Total fire ban in many cantons

Thursday, 23 July 2026 06:30

Cantons Geneva, Valais, Fribourg, Zurich, Glarus and Schwyz have all imposed total fire bans as the drought pushes wildfire risk into the "high" or "very high" range across most of the country.

That includes open-air barbecues, and even single sparks from a charcoal pit can now set off wildfires on the parched grass. 

Anyone breaching a ban risks a fine of at least CHF 100.-, and much more in serious cases. 

Individual municipalities can add their own bans on top of the cantonal ones, and even balcony grilling can be restricted where the drought is extreme. 

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