Danger of forest fires in Lower Saxony: Heat brings the highest alert level!

Danger of forest fires in Lower Saxony: Heat brings the highest alert level!

The coming days will bring a violent heat wave to Lower Saxony, and that means an increasing risk of forest fires for the local forests. From Wednesday, August 12, 2025, temperatures of up to 36 degrees are forecast in the south of Lower Saxony, putting the region on alert. Maximum temperatures of 32 degrees are expected in many areas on Tuesday, and according to the DWD's forest fire danger index, the second highest danger level will be reached in Celle on Tuesday. A large number of places, including Lüchow, Faßberg, Bergen, Wittingen-Vorhop and Bad Harzburg, are among the regions with a high risk of forest fires, as NDR reports.

This worrying situation results not only from rising temperatures, but also from a dry spring that has put pressure on forest soils. From the third danger level onwards, forestry staff should be present on site, and the forest fire center in Lüneburg has been staffed almost continuously since March. Circling over the forests in a plane, the current weather also means that the Harz narrow-gauge railways have changed their timetable. Steam locomotives are no longer allowed to travel to the Brocken and will temporarily stop in Drei Annen Hohne when the warning signal rises to level 4. In this context, penalties for smoking on trains and platforms have also been increased.

Smoking and open flames are strictly prohibited

With summer approaching, the rules are clear: open fires in and near forests, moors and heaths are prohibited until October 31st. An absolute smoking ban is in force, and the Lower Saxony State Forests strongly appeal to forest visitors to respect this ban. It was emphasized that negligent behavior, such as discarded cigarettes or improper grilling, can still be the main causes of forest fires, as Niedersachsen warns, among others. In exceptional cases, people who notice smoke developing should immediately alert the fire department on 112.

The role of climate change

Another significant issue is the role of climate change, which increases the risk of forest fires in Lower Saxony and beyond. Rising temperatures and prolonged drought are having a negative impact on vegetation, increasing the likelihood of forest fires. This danger is not only a local phenomenon, but can also be observed in many parts of Europe and worldwide; Places like Canada and southern Europe have been increasingly affected by extreme forest fires in the recent past, as DW reports. From 2001 to 2024, 152 million hectares of forests were destroyed by fires worldwide, a third of the global loss. The forecasts suggest that extreme fires could increase by 14 percent by 2030 and even by 30 percent by 2050.

To protect forests, preventive measures are essential. Removing combustible materials and creating firebreaks can help contain fires effectively. Forest management, good preparation and appropriate protective measures also help to minimize the risks of forest fires.

The weather in the coming days should be a reminder to everyone: the issue of forest fires is not just an abstract problem, but affects us all and requires responsible behavior. Find out about current alert levels and follow regulations to protect our forests.