High risk of forest fires in Schwalmstadt: the forestry office warns urgently!

High risk of forest fires in Schwalmstadt: the forestry office warns urgently!

In the last few days, the Neukirchen Forestry Office has been worrying forest visitors about the persistent heat in Hesse. The forest fire danger index in the region currently shows the second highest danger level (red), which puts the city and its surroundings on acute alert. The forestry department warns of a high risk of forest fires caused by the combination of extreme heat and strong winds. These factors lead to superficial drying of forests, which significantly increases the risk of fires. The Hessischer Rundfunk reports that forestry department manager Florian Koch appeals to forest visitors to avoid smoking and open fires in the forest.

A particularly critical point is the “30-30-30 rule,” which states that fire intensity increases significantly from 30 degrees Celsius, 30% relative humidity and 30 km/h winds. This warning is no coincidence, as only 0.5% of forest fires are caused by natural causes, such as lightning. The main causes of most fires, on the other hand, are human error - from careless handling of open flames to overheated machines and flying sparks.

Statistics and outlook for the forest fire season

The risk of forest fires in Germany is worrying given the current weather. As ZDF today reports, the forest fire season extends from March to October. There were 2,397 fires in Germany in 2022, the highest number in 30 years. In 2023, however, the numbers fell to 1,059 fires, which corresponds to a decrease of 50% compared to the previous year, but is still in line with the long-term average.

Areas with dense stands of coniferous wood are particularly affected, where the likelihood of fires increases significantly. These developments can be further exacerbated by climate change. Forecasts show that the risk of wildfires will continue to rise in the coming decades due to higher temperatures and less precipitation.

Precautionary measures and first steps

The forestry office works closely with the fire departments to be optimally prepared for possible emergencies. Measures to improve accessibility for emergency vehicles are being planned. By June 2025, around 65 forest fires had already been registered in Hesse, which caused damage to around 9.5 hectares.

In addition, prevention measures are of great importance. This includes creating forest fire barriers, using mixed forests with a higher proportion of hardwood and setting up artificial fire-fighting water extraction points. These strategies are intended not only to inhibit the spread of fire, but also to promote the vitality of forest ecosystems.

Before another devastating forest fire occurs, it is critically important that all forest visitors be vigilant and continue to monitor for all possible fire hazards. Because, as numerous studies show, the main cause of over half of forest fires is human error and carelessness. Forests and nature can only be protected through joint action.