Red alert: High risk of forest fires in Saxony-Anhalt!

Red alert: High risk of forest fires in Saxony-Anhalt!

At the moment, the risk of forest fires in Saxony-Anhalt is at a critical level and that worries us all very much. Loud People's voice The second highest warning level, 4, applies in large parts of the state, especially in the Altmark and in the districts of Harz, Mansfeld-Südharz, Anhalt-Bitterfeld and Wittenberg. The city of Dessau-Roßlau is also affected. The third warning level applies in five other districts as well as in the cities of Halle and Magdeburg.

The high temperatures and the persistent drought are the main causes of this danger. It has been shown, particularly in recent decades, that the risk of forest fires in Germany is increasing. Loud news.de Declining precipitation and rising temperatures in the spring, summer and autumn months are the main reasons. All 23 measuring stations in the state already show warning levels of 3 or higher. No significant precipitation is expected in the coming days.

Forest protection and behavior

So what can we do to minimize the risk of wildfires? Here are some useful tips that citizens should keep in mind. Drivers should be careful not to park their vehicles on highly flammable surfaces and always take waste home with them. In the event of a fire, it is important to inform the fire department immediately and to keep the forest access roads clear as escape routes.

The affected forests in Saxony-Anhalt, where there is a high or even extremely high fire risk, include Düstere Tannen and the Krüdener Forest. Mixed and deciduous forests offer more protection than resinous conifers, which are particularly vulnerable. This increases the need to raise awareness among the population about forest protection, according to the analysis Federal Environment Agency.

Future challenges

The challenges in the area of ​​forest fire prevention are continually increasing. Weather conditions in particular will be crucial as they significantly influence the risk of fires. Air humidity, precipitation and wind strength, among other things, can increase the risk. In addition, the spread of fires must be combated by increasing the number of emergency services and improving technologies.

There have been repeated signs of increasing wildfire numbers in recent years, particularly in 2018 and 2019, when extreme drought and high temperatures were responsible for many fires. While the areas affected by forest fires tended to decrease over the course of almost two decades, current meteorology and climate research show that more extreme weather events can be expected in the future.

The developments surrounding the topic of forest fire risk are anything but trivial. It is important that all citizens are made aware and pay attention to the current warnings. Only by acting prudently can we help protect our forest habitats and prevent fires.