High risk of forest fires in Lower Saxony: Heat wave is causing concern!

High risk of forest fires in Lower Saxony: Heat wave is causing concern!

In the last few days the situation in Lower Saxony has worsened dramatically. The ongoing heat wave is causing temperatures in the south of the state to climb to up to 36 degrees. As a result, according to NDR, the second highest forest fire danger level 4 is displayed at 14 measuring stations. The regions particularly affected include Lüchow, Uelzen, Faßberg and Meppen. Although July brought rain, it was not enough to moisten the soil, which further increases the risk of forest fires.

“The dry spring conditions have already caused significant damage to the forest floors,” said Knut Sierk, head of the forest fire center in Lüneburg. In order to reduce the risk, strict measures have been in force since March 1st, which include a ban on fires in forests, moors and heaths until the end of October. An absolute ban on smoking was also imposed, which is particularly important for forest visitors. It is recommended to alert the fire department immediately if smoke develops.

Dry vegetation and human error

Climate change and the resulting extreme weather conditions have further increased the risk of forest fires in Lower Saxony. As ML Niedersachsen reports, the drying out vegetation leads to additional danger to forests. Many people are not aware that careless behavior, such as throwing away cigarette butts or improperly grilling, can cause forest fires. The main causes of these fires are human error as well as natural causes such as lightning strikes.

This makes appropriate rules of conduct all the more important: open fires are only permitted in designated barbecue areas, and cigarette butts should never be disposed of in the forest. Parking vehicles on dry grass is also an absolute no-go, as they can quickly catch fire.

A look beyond the borders

Development in Lower Saxony is not isolated. Forest fires are now a global problem, exacerbated by climate change. ZDF reports that around 26 million hectares of forest were burned worldwide in 2023, resulting in massive CO2 emissions of 8.8 billion tons. This corresponds to fifteen times Germany's annual CO2 emissions. Although the areas affected have decreased compared to previous years, CO2 emissions have increased by 16%.

Severe fires are becoming increasingly common in both southern Europe and North America. The intensity and destructiveness of these fires is increasing, while atypical regions such as southern Norway are also being affected. This shows how closely the topic of forest fire prevention is linked to global climate change. The demand for increased action against the climate crisis and the protection of our forests is becoming louder and louder.

In Lower Saxony, the authorities are required to raise awareness of the dangers of forest fires and inform citizens about prevention measures. As part of this effort, the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research is providing valuable soil moisture data necessary to make effective firefighting decisions.

The risk of forest fires in Lower Saxony is high, and everyone can help prevent fires. Let's follow the rules to protect our home's beautiful forests and ensure that future generations can enjoy their beauty.