Riyadh: Saudi authorities have banned bonfires in gardens and other public places for safety reasons and vowed to fine offenders, Saudi online newspaper Sabq reported on Saturday.
First-time violation of the ban is punishable by 100 Saudi riyals, which will increase to 200 riyals if repeated, the Saudi Minister for Municipal and Rural Affairs said.
The practice of setting off fires for cooking in public areas is common in Saudi Arabia as part of outings.
The ministry said the fines against the act in non-designated public sites are part of regulations for public conduct that went into effect in the kingdom in September.
Officially dubbed the Public Decorum Code, the regulations ban wearing “inappropriate” attire and acting immorally in public and playing loud music in residential areas. Offenders face fines ranging from 50 to 3,000 riyals, depending on the type of the infringement.
