Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Lopătari
About Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Lopătari
On a hillside above the village of Terca, in Lopătari commune, natural gas rises through cracks in the earth's crust and burns right at ground level. The source is the hydrocarbon deposits underground: the methane reaches the surface after a journey of more than 3 km through the rock layers. The flames burn almost without pause and can reach a metre in height; at other times they barely flicker, depending on the gas pressure and the weather, and they can go out for a while.
The site lies in the Buzău Subcarpathians, on the left side of the Slănic valley, north-east of Terca. Buzău County Council declared it a natural monument in 1995, and today it is one of the landmarks of the Buzău Land UNESCO Geopark. It is not the same place as the Focul Viu of Andreiașu de Jos, in Vrancea.
What you can see
The burning area is small, about the size of a room: yellow tongues of flame rise between stones and clods of earth, and among them low bluish flames flicker that only show after dark. In the evening and at night the fire is at its most striking. In heavy rain, water bubbles up where the gas escapes. From the hillside you look over the valley, with the village of Terca below.
Good to know
Since July 2026 access has been closed. Both routes to the fire cross private land: one of the co-owners has fenced off the footpath and kept the easement track for local residents only, until the environmental authorities mark out the protected area's boundaries and set an official access route and visitor rules. Buzău County Council and Lopătari town hall have said a solution is being sought.
Information verified on 2 November 2026.
- The yellow flames rising straight out of the ground between stones, with no fuel source in sight.
- The low bluish flames that appear between clods of earth after dark.
- The view from the hillside over the village of Terca and the wooded hills of the Slănic valley.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Buzău it is ~61 km (~1 hour 30 minutes) to the village of Terca: take the DN10 towards Brașov, then the county roads to the Slănic valley and the DJ 203K through Lopătari; from Lopătari to Terca it is another ~5 km. From Bucharest it is ~175 km (~3 hours), on the A3 and A7 to Buzău. The car stays in the village, and from there the old footpath climbs to the fire in ~40 minutes on foot. Since July 2026 the footpath has been fenced off by the owner, and the easement track is reserved for local residents.
- Rules
The fire is in a protected area surrounded by private land: cross it only with the owners' consent. Off-road vehicles, quad bikes and motorbikes are not allowed up to the fire. Do not leave litter.
Frequently asked questions about Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Lopătari
How long does a visit to Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Lopătari take?
A visit to Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Lopătari takes about 1½ – 2 hours (~40 min uphill walk, one way).
How do I get to Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Lopătari?
Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Lopătari is located at on the hillside north-east of the village of Terca, on the left side of the Slănic valley, Lopătari, Buzău County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Lopătari?
The best season for Focul Viu (Living Fire) of Lopătari: All year round (most striking in the evening).
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