Wald fire risk in Lower Saxony: Highest alarm level on weekends!

Wald fire risk in Lower Saxony: Highest alarm level on weekends!

The risk of forest fire 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, is concerned about the critical situation and emphasizes that due to the dry spring and the overall rainfall, the risk of forest fires is particularly great. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), the highest forest fire hazard level applies especially to the regions of Lüchow in the Wendland, Faßberg, Bergen, Nienburg and Celle. These warning levels apply from June 20, 2025, and especially for Sunday, the experts expect an increase in the danger situation.

In some areas, including parts of the Cuxhaven district, warning level 4 is proclaimed. This includes Steinau and neighboring regions such as Diepholz, Bassum, Bremen, Bremerhaven and Hamburg. The warnings not only take place locally, but are also passed on to Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania across borders. The district of Cuxhaven also appeals to the population to keep access routes for fire and emergency vehicles to enable quick reactions.

high vigilance is required

human misconduct is often the main cause of forest fires. A current incident in the Goldenstedter Moor, in which a fire was triggered by a thrown away cigarette, clearly illustrates this. In recent years, increased heat periods, as they can also be observed, have increased the risk of forest fire in many regions of Germany. Forest visitors are therefore asked to show a particularly responsible behavior: cigarette remains belong in the trash, and grilling or igniting fire is only permitted in designated places.

The forest fire center has already recorded numerous days of operation this year. Experts warn: carelessness, such as not deleted grill fire or thrown away cigarettes, can quickly lead to devastating fires. In order to minimize the risk of fires, reports from 17 camera locations in Lower Saxony have been sent daily since March. The surveillance system comprises 440,000 hectares of particularly endangered forest and almost a million hectares in total. In an increasingly challenging climatic situation, the authorities can continuously check the risk of forest fires and react to them.

preventive measures and warning levels

In Germany, the forest fire hazard is expressed with an index on a 5-stage scale. This system has proven to be efficient in the past and helps to ensure early detection and combat fires. In the years 2003, 2018 and 2019, the forest fires rose due to extreme weather events. In Brandenburg, where the risk of forest fires due to climatic conditions is particularly high, even villages had to be evacuated. Climate change is more and more common and heavy rain events, which further increases the challenges in forest fire prevention.

The experts appeal to all forest visitors: keep their eyes open, immediately report small fires via emergency call 112 and make the best of the beautiful weather without losing sight of the safety. Responsible handling of fire and watchful cooperation are becoming more than ever for the bid of the hour.

Further information on the current risk of forest fire in Lower Saxony can be found at Kreiszeitung , Tagesschau and Environmental Federal Office .