Danger of forest fires in Uelzen: Warning level 4 – citizens must be careful!

Danger of forest fires in Uelzen: Warning level 4 – citizens must be careful!

The ongoing drought is currently causing great concern in the Uelzen district. As the AZ online Reportedly, the forest fire risk in the Uelzen city forest, especially in the area of ​​the wild boar enclosure, was rated at level 4, which indicates a high level of danger. On Sunday, June 22nd, the highest warning level 5 can even be reached. It is all the more important that the population remains vigilant and takes the warnings seriously. Simon Märtens, spokesman for the Uelzen fire department, appeals to all citizens to exercise caution, especially in forest and field areas.

The drought not only affects Uelzen, but also extends throughout Lower Saxony. The NDR reported that the medium forest fire warning level applies in most parts of the state, with the exception of the areas mentioned above where the high danger level is already active. Temperatures on Sunday could even climb above 30 degrees Celsius, further exacerbating the situation. Immediate rain would be urgently needed to relieve the pressure on the areas, as the current vegetation still appears green, but this does not mean protection against fires.

Take the risk of fire seriously

The incident that led to the current warning was a small forest fire in the Uelzen city forest, which was apparently caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette. Fortunately, the fire department was able to intervene quickly so that the fire was limited to a small area. Nevertheless, Märtens emphasizes the great danger posed by such carelessness. Particular caution is now required: an absolute ban on open fires in forests and a smoking ban in all forest areas apply until October 31st.

Visitors are required to adhere to strict regulations: smoking in the forest is prohibited, cigarette butts must be disposed of safely, and only designated barbecue areas may be used. In addition, forest paths should be kept clear to ensure quick access for emergency services in an emergency.

Forest fire danger in a historical context

If you look at the risk of forest fires in Germany in a historical context, you can see that there was a significant decrease in the areas affected by forest fires between 1991 and 2017. However, human error is still the main cause of most fires. According to the Federal Environment Agency Factors such as drought and the structure of the forest are crucial for the outbreak of fires. In recent years, forest fires have increased in some regions, particularly in the northeastern federal states, due to extreme weather conditions.

The challenges of preventing and combating wildfires are expected to increase as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of such events. The often increasing risk of forest fires in the coming months should not be underestimated.

So drive carefully, follow the rules and help us protect our forests.