# Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Andreiașu de Jos

[Romania](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/attractions) › [Moldavia](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/region/moldova) › [Vrancea County](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/county/vrancea) › [Andreiașu de Jos](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/locality/andreiasu-de-jos)

> A nature reserve in the Vrancea Subcarpathians where methane gas seeps out of the ground and burns by itself, in small flames best seen in dry weather and towards evening.

**At a glance:** National parks and reserves in Andreiașu de Jos, Vrancea County. The visit takes 30 min. Information verified on 10 October 2026.

## Key facts

- **Opening hours:** Open area, with no gate and no posted hours; we found no administrator publishing visiting hours. The flames go out when it rains and show better towards evening, so come in dry weather.
- **Visit duration:** 30 min — 5–10 min on foot, plus a stop
- **With kids:** Yes — keep children away from the flames
- **Parking:** Yes, free — on the roadside
- **Best season:** All year round — no rain; nicer in the evening
- **Address:** on the DC 114 communal road between Andreiașu de Jos and Andreiașu de Sus, on the edge of the village, Andreiașu de Jos, Vrancea County
- **Coordinates:** 45.7508, 26.83282
- **Wikipedia:** https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focul_Viu_de_la_Andreia%C8%99u_de_Jos
- **Wikidata:** https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18540222
- **Categories:** [National parks and reserves](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/parcuri-nationale-si-rezervatii)

## About Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Andreiașu de Jos

On the right slope of the Milcov Valley, in the Vrancea Subcarpathians, at ~430 m above sea level, the ground lets natural gas escape, mainly methane, which ignites by itself and burns on the spot. The geological structure, of Miocene sandstones, clays and cinerites, is heavily faulted, and the gas finds cracks through which to rise to the surface. Analyses have shown that, besides methane, carbon dioxide and helium also escape here.

The place was put under protection in 1973 by decision of the Vrancea County People's Council and recognised as a protected area of national interest by Law 5/2000. Specialists consider it the most extensive field of "living fires" in Romania, with ~400 m² of emissions and an estimated methane flow of ~50 t a year; the figures differ from one source to another, and the size of the whole reserve is given as anything between 12 and 40 ha. Locals say that before an earthquake the flames grow.

Do not expect a big fire: the flames are usually 10–30 cm high, sometimes reaching 50 cm, and they show better towards evening than in full daylight. When it rains they go out, and water bubbles in their place where the gas comes out.

### What you can see

The emissions come out right from under a low concrete kerb, among stones and a layer of clay, and all around the ground bubbles in small puddles, with gas bubbles. Nearby are an information panel, a gazebo, benches and concrete paths, and above, just under the edge of a fir forest, the slope opens wide views over the hills of Vrancea.

### Good to know

Access is free, with no ticket, but there is no staff on site. Next to the fire it is forbidden to throw objects into the flames, to picnic or to barbecue. The gazebo and the kerb have been covered in graffiti by visitors, and litter remains a problem, so take yours with you. Every September a folk festival of the Focul Viu is held here.

## Don't miss

- The small flames that come straight out from under the concrete kerb, among stones, with no visible source of fuel.
- The ground bubbling in small puddles around the fire, with gas bubbles, and the smell of methane.
- The wooden gazebo and the benches nearby, good for a rest in the shade of the firs.
- The view from the slope over the wooded hills of Vrancea, below the edge of the fir forest.
- The "Focul Viu" folk festival, held every September, with ensembles from the neighbouring communes.

## Good to know before you go

### Getting there

**By car:** from Focșani it is ~37 km (under an hour), through Odobești, Broșteni, Mera, Reghiu and Valea Milcovului, to Andreiașu de Jos; then you follow the communal road towards Andreiașu de Sus (on maps it appears as DC 114, and in older guides the road from Focșani appears as DJ 205A). From Bucharest it is ~200 km to Focșani (around 2.5–3 hours) and then the rest of the way. Some visitors have described the last stretch as poorer, with gravel; take it slowly in a low car.

**On foot from the road:** leave the car on the asphalt and walk ~100 m on a gravel road, then on a concrete path, in ~5 minutes; the alternative starts at the information panel, on concrete steps, in ~10 minutes, more tiring. **Public transport:** we found no direct public transport to the reserve.

### Where to park

There is no laid-out car park with a barrier or fee: cars are left on the roadside, on the asphalt or near the information panel. On maps a "Focul Viu" point appears as a car park, next to the access path.

### Fees & discounts

We found no ticket or entrance fee in the recent sources and there is no ticket office on site; neither the town hall nor the county council publishes visiting fees.

### Rules

Stay on the paths and outside the area marked by the kerb; do not touch the ground around the flames, which can be hot. Do not throw objects into the fire, do not picnic or barbecue, do not leave litter and do not scratch the gazebo or the benches. Keep children and pets away from the flames. The gas is methane: do not smoke or light a fire next to the emissions.

### Facilities

Gazebo · benches · information panel · concrete paths and steps · no toilets, water or shop on site · no accommodation right nearby · variable mobile signal

## Details

- **Protected area type:** nature reserve

## Frequently asked questions about Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Andreiașu de Jos

**How long does a visit to Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Andreiașu de Jos take?**

A visit to Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Andreiașu de Jos takes about 30 min (5–10 min on foot, plus a stop).

**Can you visit Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Andreiașu de Jos with kids?**

Yes, Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Andreiașu de Jos is suitable for children (keep children away from the flames).

**Where can I park at Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Andreiașu de Jos?**

There is free parking at Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Andreiașu de Jos (on the roadside). There is no laid-out car park with a barrier or fee: cars are left on the roadside, on the asphalt or near the information panel. On maps a "Focul Viu" point appears as a car park, next to the access path.

**How do I get to Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Andreiașu de Jos?**

Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Andreiașu de Jos is located at on the DC 114 communal road between Andreiașu de Jos and Andreiașu de Sus, on the edge of the village, Andreiașu de Jos, Vrancea County. By car: from Focșani it is ~37 km (under an hour), through Odobești, Broșteni, Mera, Reghiu and Valea Milcovului, to Andreiașu de Jos; then you follow the communal road towards Andreiașu de Sus (on maps it appears as DC 114, and in older guides the road from Focșani appears as DJ 205A). From Bucharest it is ~200 km to Focșani (around 2.5–3 hours) and then the rest of the way. Some visitors have described the last stretch as poorer, with gravel; take it slowly in a low car. On foot from the road: leave the car on the asphalt and walk ~100 m on a gravel road, then on a concrete path, in ~5 minutes; the alternative starts at the information panel, on concrete steps, in ~10 minutes, more tiring. Public transport: we found no direct public transport to the reserve.

**When is the best time to visit Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Andreiașu de Jos?**

The best season for Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Andreiașu de Jos: All year round (no rain; nicer in the evening).

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Last updated: 10 October 2026
Source: Pe Plaiuri (https://peplaiuri.ro/en) — Guide to tourist attractions in Romania