Danger of forest fires in Lower Saxony: Highest alert level at the weekend!

Danger of forest fires in Lower Saxony: Highest alert level at the weekend!

The risk of forest fires in Lower Saxony has increased noticeably this week. With temperatures of up to 32 degrees Celsius, the highest warning level 5 is expected for the coming weekend. Knut Sierk, the head of the forest fire center in Lüneburg, expresses concern about the critical situation and emphasizes that the risk of forest fires is particularly high due to the dry spring and the overall lack of precipitation. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), the highest forest fire danger level applies primarily in the Lüchow im Wendland, Faßberg, Bergen, Nienburg and Celle regions. These warning levels apply from June 20, 2025, and experts expect the danger situation to increase, especially on Sunday.

In some areas, including parts of the Cuxhaven district, warning level 4 has been declared. This includes Steinau and neighboring regions such as Diepholz, Bassum, Bremen, Bremerhaven and Hamburg. The warnings are not only issued locally, but are also passed on across countries to Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The Cuxhaven district also appeals to the population to keep the access routes clear for fire and rescue vehicles in order to enable quick reactions.

High vigilance is required

Human error is often the primary cause of wildfires. A recent incident in Goldenstedter Moor, in which a fire was started by a discarded cigarette, clearly illustrates this. In recent years, increased heat periods, such as those currently being observed, have increased the risk of forest fires in many regions of Germany. Forest visitors are therefore asked to behave particularly responsibly: cigarette butts belong in the trash, and grilling or lighting fires is only permitted in designated areas.

The forest fire center has already recorded numerous operational days this year. Experts warn: Carelessness, such as not extinguishing barbecue fires or throwing away cigarettes, can quickly lead to devastating fires. In order to minimize the risk of fires, reports have been transmitted daily from 17 camera locations in Lower Saxony since March. The monitoring system covers 440,000 hectares of particularly endangered forest and a total of almost one million hectares. In an increasingly challenging climate, authorities can continually monitor and respond to the risk of forest fires.

Precautionary measures and warning levels

In Germany, the risk of forest fires is expressed using an index on a 5-point scale. This system has proven to be efficient in the past and helps ensure early detection and suppression of fires. In 2003, 2018 and 2019 there was a sharp increase in forest fires due to extreme weather events. In Brandenburg, where the risk of forest fires is particularly high due to climatic conditions, even villages had to be evacuated. Climate change is causing more frequent droughts and heavy rain events, which further increases the challenges of forest fire prevention.

The experts appeal to all forest visitors: keep your eyes open, report small fires immediately via the emergency number 112 and make the most of the beautiful weather without losing sight of safety. Responsible use of fire and vigilant coexistence are becoming the order of the day more than ever these days.

Further information on the current forest fire risk in Lower Saxony can be found at District newspaper, daily news and Federal Environment Agency.