Attention, danger of forest fires! NRW relies on warning signs for more safety

Attention, danger of forest fires! NRW relies on warning signs for more safety

In summer temperatures, many people head to the forests of North Rhine-Westphalia to refresh themselves in the shade of the trees. But the idyllic nature currently harbors a great danger: longer dry periods and heat waves are drastically increasing the risk of forest fires in the region. This has prompted the state government to put up warning signs across the board to make forest visitors aware of the risks. NRW.Notice reports that over 3,000 such signs are already to be installed in the forests. The comprehensive initiative aims to raise awareness about precautionary measures and encourage people to interact responsibly with nature.

On July 14, 2025, the first forest fire warning sign was presented in Wuppertal. Minister Silke Gorißen emphasized the need for caution to protect the forest and the animals that live there. Among the bans for forest visitors, the minister lists, among other things, smoking, grilling and open fires - measures that are of enormous importance, especially given the current weather situation. Studies show that almost all forest fires are man-made, often the result of carelessness. tagesschau.de reports that in North Rhine-Westphalia the current forest fire risk varies regionally, with levels between 2 and 4 out of five.

The current situation

In the first half of 2025, North Rhine-Westphalia registered 31 forest fires, which affected a total of over 25 hectares. The problem is further exacerbated by climatic changes that lead to longer dry periods. Michael Kämmerling, managing director of Wald und Holz NRW, appeals to people to be vigilant and, above all, not to throw lit cigarettes out of the car or to grill near dry surfaces.

The fire department has already taken initial measures to counteract the growing threat of fire. Three years ago, novel concepts to improve fire protection in North Rhine-Westphalia were announced, including fire breaks and extinguishing ponds; but these measures have not yet been implemented. In many cases, the paths into forest areas are not sufficiently available to fire engines, which makes it difficult to respond quickly in the event of a fire. The fire department and forestry authorities work together to improve coordination in order to be able to respond better to forest fires.

Precautions

The men from MLV not only warn about the dangers in the forest, but also in their own gardens. Burning weeds or something similar near dry trees can have fatal consequences. In addition, the use of modern technologies such as drones to monitor fire risks is becoming increasingly important. These devices can be equipped with thermal imaging cameras to locate fire sources more quickly and respond early before a disaster occurs. Forest Climate Fund deals, among other things, with the development of fire-resistant forests, which is extremely relevant given the increasing risk of forest fires in the region.

With these extensive measures and the support of volunteers, North Rhine-Westphalia can hope to combat the worrying developments by increasing the risk of forest fires. But as always, we can only protect the forest together. Everyone can do their part - be it through more vigilant behavior or by reporting dangers.