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Amersfoort Issues Netherlands’ First Wood-Burning Fines as Groningen Sets 2026 Ban Tied to RIVM Alerts

Cities are tying home wood burning to RIVM alerts, emphasizing warnings before fines.

Overview

  • Amersfoort confirmed fines against two well-known addresses for violating its wood-burning ban, marking the first penalties of this kind in the country.
  • The Amersfoort rule, in place since October 2024, forbids burning at RIVM Stookwijzer code orange or red, with fines ranging from €100 to €400 after prior warnings.
  • More than 1,000 complaints were filed in Amersfoort from October 2024 to April 2025, and enforcement follows resident reports rather than active patrols.
  • In Groningen, GroenLinks reintroduced a measure that will apply from September 2026 when the Stookwijzer shows code red, after a similar proposal failed last month.
  • Groningen plans conversation-first enforcement, exempts areas outside the built-up zone, prioritizes cases where neighbors report nuisance, and will help households without alternatives, potentially with subsidies.