Suche
Mein Konto
Forest fire danger in Saxony-Anhalt: level 4 reached – be careful now!
In Jerichower Land, the risk of forest fires rises to level 4. important measures and current developments here.
Forest fire danger in Saxony-Anhalt: level 4 reached – be careful now!
Today, August 13, 2025, there is alarming news from Saxony-Anhalt: The risk of forest fires has increased again. The second highest danger level (level 4 out of 5) has been declared in various regions of the state. The northern part of the Börde district, the Jerichower Land, Dessau-Roßlau and the districts of Anhalt-Bitterfeld, Wittenberg and Stendal are particularly affected MDR reported. Danger level 4 was already set on Tuesday for the districts of Harz and Mansfeld-Südharz, the Salzlandkreis, the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel and the city of Magdeburg.
But what does this actually mean for citizens? Danger level 4 entails a strict ban: public roads, paths and forest paths may no longer be accessed in affected forest areas. In other parts of Saxony-Anhalt there is a medium forest fire risk, level 3. This applies, for example, to the south and the region around Halle, where the forest fire risk is classified as low (level 2), as colleagues from n-tv mention.
A hot summer and little rain
No significant rainfall is expected in the coming days and temperatures could rise up to 37 degrees. These conditions are essential for the development of forest fires. Recently there was a fire involving garden waste near the Ballenstedt airfield, where seven fire departments were deployed. The fire quickly spread to the surrounding vegetation, an incident that underlines the seriousness of the situation. The warning app Nina issued a message about this, and the “Hexe 1” fire-fighting aircraft stationed in the Harz region has already been used several times to counteract the danger, reports MDR.
In order to defuse the situation, the Harz narrow-gauge railways converted their steam locomotives to diesel locomotives. This is done to prevent flying sparks that can start forest fires. Daily trips continue to take place between Drei Annen Hohne and the Brocken, albeit under a replacement timetable, as stated by n-tv reported.
Forest fire danger index as an important guide
The forest fire danger index (WBI) describes the meteorological potential for the risk of forest fires and has been used in Saxony-Anhalt since March 2014. The index shows danger in five levels: from very low danger (level 1) to very high danger (level 5), as shown German Weather Service determines. This is an important basis for state authorities to issue warnings and assess the current forest fire risk.
The maps with the respective forecasts are updated once a day and provide important orientation for citizens. With such hot weather and windy conditions, we should all remain vigilant and adhere to the bans in place to protect our forests and nature.