A daily forest fire monitoring system was launched in Saxony at the beginning of the month. Until the end of the year, the forest fire risk for 31 regions in the state will be indicated daily in five danger levels, announced the state enterprise Sachsenforst in Pirna. Some regions are particularly at risk due to sandy soils and low rainfall. Camera-based forest fire monitoring is also starting there.
Last year, a forest fire in the Gohrischheide in the Meißen district, which was contaminated with explosive ordnance, kept hundreds of emergency services on their toes for around two weeks. According to Sachsenforst, the majority of the approximately 2,000 hectares of forest burned last year was due to this fire.
The biggest risk factor for forest fires remains humans, according to State Forestry President Utz Hempfling, for example through risky and negligent behavior. "It is therefore up to all of us to prevent forest fires and the resulting damage." With this in mind, the State Forestry Office would like to remind everyone that open fires are prohibited in and around forests all year round. In addition, parked vehicles on dry forest floors can also cause fires - for example through heated exhaust systems. From forest fire danger level 4, visits to the forest should also only take place with the utmost caution or not at all.
