The danger of forest fires in the district is increasing: be careful in the green paradise!

The danger of forest fires in the district is increasing: be careful in the green paradise!

In the Cologne district, the risk of forest fires at the start of the weekend is considered to be particularly high. The State Office for Forest and Wood NRW warns urgently about the combination of heat and persistent water shortages, which can pose a real threat to our forests. The last few days in particular have shown how important it is to exercise caution in the forest and its edges.

Such warnings should not be underestimated, especially at this time of year. A smoking ban in the forest has been in effect since March 1st and will remain in effect until October 31st. Smoldering cigarettes can quickly lead to an infernal fire on dry grass, as was recently the case at Möhnesee in the Sauerland, where around three hectares of forest went up in flames. Marc Messerschmidt, a forest protection expert at Wald und Holz NRW, points out that over 90% of forest fires are caused by human error. A look at the sky shows that it is time to act responsibly.

The danger situation in detail

The current weather situation is not exactly favorable for many outdoor activities. The German Weather Service reports a medium to high risk of forest fires in North Rhine-Westphalia. It is particularly important to ensure that smoking and open fires are absolutely prohibited in the forest. According to reports, the danger level on site may even be higher than the forest fire danger index suggests. This is important to note!

• Halte Dich an das gesetzliche Rauchverbot im Wald.
• Beachte das Verbot offener Feuer in einem Abstand von 100 Metern vom Wald.
• Nimm Glas mit aus dem Wald – Brennglaseffekte können gefährlich sein.
• Halte Waldwege und Zufahrten frei, sie dienen als Rettungswege!
• Parke Fahrzeuge nur auf befestigten Flächen, um heiße Auspuffanlagen zu vermeiden.

In the event of a fire emergency, it is important to follow some safety tips. Smaller fires can be put out yourself if it is safe to do so. Otherwise, the emergency number “112” should be dialed immediately and the place of danger should be left as quickly as possible. If you always keep these preventive measures in mind, you can help save the forest from flames.

Long-term developments

A historical look shows that the risk of forest fires in Germany has varied over the past few decades. Between 1991 and 2017 there was a significant decrease in forest fire areas, which can be attributed to improved control methods. Nevertheless, the risk remains high in some regions, particularly due to global warming. Supportive measures were initiated by the EU to promote forest fire prevention and improve the infrastructure for fire-fighting measures.

As the season becomes increasingly hot, it is even more important to actively work to protect our forests. Inform yourself, act with foresight and protect our green lungs from devastating damage!