Forest fires in Saxony-Anhalt: decline, but the danger remains high!

Forest fires in Saxony-Anhalt: decline, but the danger remains high!

In Germany, the forest fires have gone through impressive development in recent years. In 2023 there was a significant decline in the fires, which is not least due to the numerous precipitation. A report by Borkener Zeitung , a total of 563 forest fires were registered this year, which has been registered this year 1,059 fires in 2022.

But while the rest of the country experiences a positive trend reversal, Saxony-Anhalt still sees great challenges. There, 39 fires were recorded on an area of ​​39 hectares. This continues to make the region the most affected in Germany. According to the Tag24 places the largest number of individual fires, followed by Brandenburg with 211 fires at 226 Hectar and Thuringia with 34 fires on 35 hectares.

a damp -hedge summer as a blessing

So what led to this decline? A "wet hot" summer with changing temperatures and frequent showers is called the main cause. This summer not only managed the perfect conditions for good forest growth, but also significantly reduced the number of fires. There were almost half of the registered fires in May and August. These weather conditions have also contributed to the fact that the total number of forest fires nationwide has been below the average since 1991.

However, the risk of forest fires is not averted. The risk remains, especially due to higher temperatures and lower precipitation in the future. Forecasts of the Environmental Office report that a affected forest area is expected for 2024 that is roughly as large as Central Park in New York-a worrying performance for nature lovers and forest dwellers.

causes and effects of the forest fires

The exact causes of the forest fires are complex. Over 51 % of the fires remained without the cause. Human action, especially arson and negligence, play a central role in this. Careless behavior, be it when camping or improperly disposing of cigarettes, was the trigger in 54 % of this first group. Natural causes such as lightning strikes were only responsible for a minor part. 

The damage caused by forest fires remain surprisingly low compared to the long -term cuts. The financial damage was 1.19 million euros, which is considered average. Thus, the damage per hectare is around 959 euros - well below the long -term fund of 2,568 euros.

FAZIT: Saxony-Anhalt may currently lead the negative headlines, but a positive trend can be seen throughout Germany. Nevertheless, the constant challenge remains to improve the handling of these natural phenomena and to prevent future fires through targeted measures. The coming years will be decisive for the preservation of our forests and biodiversity.