Due to the recent rainfalls and lower temperatures, cantons Basel-Stadt and Baselland are lifting some of the restrictions regarding open fires/barbecuing and swimming in rivers; these changes take effect at noon on Friday, August 28:

• The complete ban on all fires will be lifted in residential areas. This means you can use existing permanent fire / grill sites in those areas (eg, along the Rhein) as well as fire dishes or small portable grills that you might bring with you.
• However, there still is a complete ban on all fires in wooded areas as well as in open areas within 200 meters of wooded areas (residential areas within 200 meters of woods are excluded). This also applies to any permanently installed barbecue sites in those areas. While the danger of wildfires has gone down, it still is at the second-highest warning level (severe danger of wildfires).
• A complete ban remains on any private fireworks or use of sky lanterns.
• A ban also remains on throwing away any lit matches, cigarettes, or other smoking materials not only in the woods but also in town.
• The ban for people and pets on accessing and swimming in the Wiese and lower reaches of the Birs that had been implemented to protect the fish is being lifted.
• However, for all rivers in Baselland except the Rhein and lower reaches of the Birs, the ban on accessing the water and fishing remains in place for the time being.

In general, you are still encouraged to preserve water, for example, by not watering your lawns or topping up your swimming pools

You also should still be extremely careful when walking in the woods; because of the drought, branches or entire crowns especially of older, larger trees can break and fall down without any warning.

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