As Valborgsmässoafton approaches, the tradition of lighting bonfires is under scrutiny due to a new waste directive causing confusion about the legality of burning garden waste.

Naturvårdsverket states that garden waste cannot be burned and must be composted or taken to recycling centers, affecting the practice of lighting bonfires.

However, this year, the tradition continues with some exceptions.

Only Strömsunds municipality requires a permit for bonfires in densely populated areas, while Krokom and Ragunda have recently removed such requirements.

Next year, new regulations will further impact this tradition.