The risk of forest fires remains high: experts warn about rain!

The risk of forest fires remains high: experts warn about rain!

Even though the rain on Monday night cooled some districts in Brandenburg a little, the risk of forest fires remains at an alarming level. Forest fire protection officer Raimund Engel makes it clear: The reduced danger levels do not adequately reflect the actual danger. “We need widespread rain,” emphasizes Engel, who cannot give the all-clear. He reports that only local rain fell in the region and that not enough rain fell to defuse the extremely dangerous situation. A forest fire was reported in Grünheide (Oder-Spree district) on Monday morning, increasing concerns about the fire risk.

The highest danger level of 5 has currently been declared in Havelland. In contrast, most counties have lower danger levels, usually between 1 (low danger) and 3 (medium danger). Only in the regions of Potsdam-Mittelmark, Potsdam and Brandenburg an der Havel is the danger level also high at 4. This clearly shows that even if there are regional differences, the overall risk of forest fires should be considered very serious. The weather forecast for the coming days also signals warm summer temperatures, which doesn't exactly improve the situation.

The reality of wildfire danger

Brandenburg has an immense forest area of ​​around 1.1 million hectares, which accounts for 37 percent of the state's area. These extensive forests not only offer beautiful nature, but also a persistent fire risk, which is estimated to be extremely high this year. Human activity is responsible, as more than 90 percent of all forest fires are caused by human activity. Even lightning, which is considered to be a natural cause, is rarely the cause of fires, which clearly shows that the greatest danger often lies in the hands of people, the Brandenburg state government adds on its website.

In recent years, weather-related risks from forest fires have not diminished. Over the years 2018 and 2019, the number of fires increased significantly due to extreme drought and heat. The northeastern federal states were particularly affected, where large-scale fires caused devastating damage. In Brandenburg, it was the largest fire around Jüterbog in 2018, which also led to 512 fires and a total of 1,674 hectares of affected area. This clearly shows how important preventative measures and keeping a close eye on the risk of forest fires are.

Precautions and penalties

The need for precautionary measures in forest fire prevention is of utmost importance. It is essential that each individual becomes aware of their responsibility. Administrative offenses related to the Forest Act (Section 23) can be punished with fines of up to 20,000 euros. This shows how seriously this issue is taken and that the authorities are doing everything they can to counteract the costs and dangers of forest fires.

The challenges in preventing and fighting forest fires are increasing, especially against the background of increasing global warming. The spread of wildfires is likely to increase dramatically as temperatures continue to rise. The evaluation of fire danger indices on a 5-stage scale is therefore becoming increasingly important in order to decide at an early stage which resources need to be mobilized. Brandenburg urgently needs innovative solutions to protect the forests and minimize the risks to people and nature. Only by working together and having a good knack for prevention can the impending danger be brought under control.