Heat wave brings serious forest fire risk to Lower Saxony!

Heat wave brings serious forest fire risk to Lower Saxony!

The risk of forest fires is increasing alarmingly in Lower Saxony. With midsummer approaching, we are facing a heat wave that will drive temperatures up to 36 degrees in the coming days. This weather development, which begins on Tuesday with a maximum of 32 degrees, has the potential to cause the risk of forest fires to rise dangerously high, as NDR reports. The second highest danger level will be reached in Celle on Tuesday, followed by seven other regions that are affected by a high risk of forest fires on Wednesday: Lüchow, Faßberg, Bergen, Wittingen-Vorhop, Celle, Wunstorf and Bad Harzburg. On Thursday, three additional regions such as Moringen-Lutterbeck, Herzberg and Göttingen could even slip into the danger zone.

The situation is alarming, not least because of the dry spring, which has put a lot of strain on the soil. Due to the high risk of forest fires, strict bans apply: open fires in forests, moors and heaths are prohibited until October 31st, and there is an absolute ban on smoking. The Lower Saxony State Forests urgently appeal to forest visitors to comply with these bans. Behavior such as throwing away cigarette butts or careless grilling could have fatal consequences, because, as Niedersachsen.de explains, negligent behavior and arson are among the main causes of forest fires. In an emergency, we advise you to call 112 and state the exact location of the fire.

Forest fire week: measures and prevention

From the third level of danger onwards, forestry staff on site is crucial, and the forest fire center in Lüneburg has been staffed almost continuously since March. This shows how serious the situation is, while the annual extreme climatic conditions continue to increase the risk of forest fires. The German Weather Service website provides current information on the forest fire danger index, which everyone can view to stay informed about the current situation.

In addition, the timetable of the Harz narrow-gauge railways has been adjusted since May 1st: the legendary steam locomotives no longer run to the Brocken; Instead, diesel locomotives come into play to minimize the dangers of flying sparks. This is a step that many railways in the region urgently support, especially after a forest fire near Goslar that affected around three hectares.

Long-term strategies and research

The need to prepare for these dangers is obvious. Projects like PYROPHOB aim to develop fire-resistant and climate change-resilient forests to minimize future wildfires. This research covers important areas such as soil and water balance and the development of microclimate. Institutions from universities to research centers work together to derive recommendations for action to improve resilience to fires, as described on the Forest Climate Fund website.

Forest visitors who want to enjoy nature should be aware of these risks and definitely pay attention to the existing regulations. Mindful behavior can help protect forests and avoid dangerous situations. The protection of our nature is in our hands!