Attention, Brandenburg: High risk of forest fires – this is how you protect yourself!

Attention, Brandenburg: High risk of forest fires – this is how you protect yourself!

After the recent heat waves, Brandenburg is again struggling with a high risk of forest fires. Like that star reports, the Ministry of the Environment has informed the population about the growing risk of forest fires in several districts. The risk of forest fires is currently high, particularly in the southwest of Brandenburg as well as in Barnim and Märkisch-Oderland. In a total of seven other districts, a medium risk has even been identified.

What exactly does this mean for forest visitors? Forest fire danger levels range from 1 (very low danger) to 5 (very high danger). Levels 3 and 4 are currently active, which means that even the slightest spark can cause a significant catastrophe. The ministry therefore urges people to be particularly careful in the forests and to avoid open fires and smoking.

A look at the forest areas and risks

Brandenburg is known for its extensive forests, which are spread over around 1.1 million hectares and make up around 37 percent of the state's area. But the beauty of nature comes at a price, especially when we consider that human activity is responsible for more than 90 percent of all forest fires. As below mleuv.brandenburg.de can be read, the consequences of careless behavior are devastating. According to the Forest Act, administrative offenses can be punished with fines of up to 20,000 euros.

The situation has worsened in recent years. Statistics show that there were 1,059 forest fires in Germany in 2023, a decrease of half compared to 2022. But the areas affected are alarming: In Brandenburg, the affected forest area was 765.2 hectares and therefore represents more than half of the total burned area in Germany. The Jüterbog region was particularly critical with around 705 hectares of burned area on a former military training area, like that Federal Environment Agency reported.

Long-term forecasts and precautions

Wildfire risks are expected to increase in the coming decades as higher temperatures and less rainfall are expected. Studies show that younger and sparse coniferous forests with dense undergrowth are particularly at risk. The recommendation for preventative protection is to convert conifer monocultures into mixed forests with a higher proportion of hardwood.

Given the current dangerous situation, precautionary measures are more than just a slogan. The population is called upon to treat nature with care and respect. We have to have a good hand and all pull together so that our forests remain a place of refuge for numerous generations in the future.