Midsummer heat endangers forests: Highest fire risk from July!

Midsummer heat endangers forests: Highest fire risk from July!

On July 1, 2025, the alert is high in the Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg districts. The head of the Augsburg Office for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (AELF), Markus Riebler, warns of an extreme risk of forest fires. Persistent heat and a lack of precipitation are increasing the risk of forest fires to the highest level. From July 2nd, people in the region will have to prepare for an increased risk.

“We have to take the risk of forest fires seriously and treat our nature responsibly,” emphasizes Riebler. In this context, it is important to observe the applicable rules: In Bavaria there is a strict ban on smoking in the forest during the summer period, which lasts from the beginning of March to the end of October. Lighting open fires, be it at the edge of the forest or near bushes, is also strictly prohibited. Reckless behavior, such as parking vehicles with hot exhaust over dry grass, can also have devastating consequences.

Climate change and human activity as drivers of forest fires

The challenge that arises here in Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg is not just local. We also see the effects of human activity on forests internationally. According to reports from Greenpeace Many forest fires, especially in the Amazon rainforest, are deliberately started in order to open up new agricultural areas. Cattle farming and the establishment of soy plantations in particular play a decisive role in this destruction. The current drought in the Amazon region, exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon and the global climate crisis, has caused the number of forest fires to rise to the highest level in 20 years.

These global developments make it clear how important it is to use forest resources responsibly. Riebler points out that the number of fires caused by human activity is also increasing in this country. Therefore, awareness of the dangers and compliance with rules are essential to protect our forests and prevent future disasters.

Precautions and responsibility

In view of the impending risk of forest fires, every individual should take responsibility. Riebler and the authorities appeal to all citizens to be particularly careful when walking in the forest and not to light open fires. Negligent behavior can pose a danger not only to the environment, but also to those around you.

Preventing forest fires is not just the responsibility of the authorities. It is up to all of us to pay attention and do our part to protect our forests. In times when nature is under severe strain due to climatic changes, we must pay even more attention to treating our environment with care.