Broken glass in the forest: fire danger or exaggeration? Experts argue!

Broken glass in the forest: fire danger or exaggeration? Experts argue!

The discussion about the dangers of broken glass for our forests is gaining momentum. Especially in times of high temperatures and persistent drought, the question arises as to whether these seemingly harmless remnants can actually cause forest fires. The chairman of the German Forest Protection Association, Dirk Hartung, has now explained that broken glass, especially bottle bottoms, concentrate sunlight and can therefore potentially start fires. Hartung recommends testing this yourself by holding a piece of glass up to the sun. Such warnings could be particularly important in the hot summer months like this July, as the risk of forest fires increases in Germany due to drought , as maz-online reports.

But not all experts agree. Meteorologist Jörg Kachelmann sees no physical basis for the assumption that broken glass can cause forest fires. In his opinion, arson is the most common cause of fires in the Elbe-Elster district and not the suspected burning glass phenomenon of broken glass. Raimund Engel, the forest protection officer in Brandenburg, is also skeptical. He points to a 2006 field test in which broken glass did not ignite a fire under extreme conditions - unless a magnifying glass was used , according to BR reporting.

Common causes of forest fires

The majority of forest fires in Germany are caused by human error. Carelessness and arson play the biggest role. A look at the statistics shows that over 90 percent of forest fires are caused by humans. A carelessly thrown away cigarette butt is often enough to have devastating consequences. For example, around 200 hectares of forest burned in Brandenburg in June 2022 - the equivalent of around 280 football fields , as Greenpeace notes.

Despite concerns about broken glass, the consensus among experts remains: Glass does not belong in nature. The President of the Brandenburg State Fire Brigade Association, Rolf Fünnig, is also unable to start a fire in his own attempts, but considers the warnings about human error to be much more important. In this context, the question of cars with catalytic converters, which can ignite grass under certain conditions, also plays a role. However, a fire requires direct contact with suitable fuel and high temperatures , reports BR.

In view of global challenges such as the drought in the Amazon region and the ongoing climate crisis, in which forest fires are often deliberately set, it is all the more important to act carefully here too. Interventions in nature often have far-reaching consequences, which not only affect forest burning, but also endanger the entire ecosystem and the habitats of many species. The fires in the Amazon, which are largely caused by human activity, impressively demonstrate the urgency of the issue. Greenpeace draws attention to these connections.

At the end of the day, one thing remains above all: when it comes to forest protection and maintenance, we all have to have a good hand. And that starts with each individual. Regardless of whether it is about avoiding waste in the forest or raising awareness about fire safety - it is up to us to protect nature and preserve it for future generations.