Forest fire danger at peak: Wittenberg and Börde districts affected!

Forest fire danger at peak: Wittenberg and Börde districts affected!

The air in Saxony-Anhalt has been burning for several weeks - and not just metaphorically. On July 5, 2025, the alarming forest fire danger level 5, the highest warning level, will apply in the Wittenberg and Börde districts. This situation not only causes excitement, but also numerous restrictions for the population. Loud MDR The highest danger level was declared in the Wittenberg district at the end of June and also in the Börde since Wednesday.

How serious the situation actually is is also shown by the fact that walkers in the affected forests are not allowed to leave the main paths. These strict rules are part of the State Forest Act and include a smoking ban from level 2 onwards. In other districts, including Jerichower Land, Stendal and Dessau-Roßlau, at least the second highest level 4 applies. Only in the remaining areas of Saxony-Anhalt does the danger remain at level 3.

Fire danger in Saxony-Anhalt

The designation of forest fire danger classes in Saxony-Anhalt is based on years of statistical data on forest fires. This data takes into account factors such as the area burned, the frequency of fires, and the readiness of the forest structures to ignite and burn. The extreme climatic conditions in the north and east of the state, such as very low rainfall and sandy soils, also increase the risk of fire. Pine forests also contribute to ignition readiness, like that Forest State Center explained.

Several forest fires have been extinguished in the last few days, including a wildfire on the A2 near Theeßen and a six-hectare forest fire near Raguhn-Jeßnitz. Over 100 firefighters were deployed to fight these fires. In this situation, the German Fire Brigade Association is urgently calling for more helicopters to support firefighting from the air.

Function and responsibility of the forest

A look into the future shows that the forest is not only a place for recreation, but also fulfills an important protective and useful function. As the federal administration notes in its reports, the monitoring and recording of forest fire data has been carried out continuously since the 1970s. The aim is to reduce the number and size of forest fires in order to protect the forest. These data and statistics help assess risk and develop preventive measures to prevent future wildfires like this Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture highlights.

While the situation has calmed down in some parts of the country, the danger remains high in the heavily affected areas. The population is called upon to show vigilance and to take the security measures in place seriously in order to protect the forests of Saxony-Anhalt.