Considering the recent onset o forest fires in Bosnia it is worth noting that the country’s Criminal Code contains considerable fines and prison sentences for irresponsible individuals causing forest fires and threatening lives or general good.

Thus certain provisions of the Criminal Code of Bosnia’s Federation entity which define certain criminal acts such as Causing a general danger – provides sanctions, a fine or a prison sentence of up to five years; Causing a forest fire – provided sanctions of a fine or prison sentence of up to twelve years; Arson – provides sanctions such as prison sentence of one to twelve years.

The Republika Srpska (RS) entity also has strict laws regarding this matter.

“Whoever causes a danger to the life or body of people or to property of a larger scale by fire, flood, explosion, poison or poisonous gas, radioactive or other ionizing radiation, electricity, motor power or any other generally dangerous action or generally dangerous means, shall be punished by imprisonment ranging from six months to five years and a fine.

If the acts are committed in a place where a large number of people are gathered, the perpetrator will be punished with imprisonment from one to eight years and a fine.

Somewhat milder penalties are provided for in the Criminal Code of the Brcko District. The most severe punishment for threatening the security provides for five years’ detention.