Fires in Spain, in France, in Saxon Switzerland and again and again, especially in the region around Karlsruhe. The hot and extremely dry summer has turned into fire season. But is Baden-Württemberg prepared enough to protect the forests?
Karlsruhe (dpa/lsw) - In view of the persistent drought and increasing risk of forest fires in the coming years, Baden-Württemberg must prepare itself better for possible forest fires from the point of view of the forest chamber. "Our forests are not prepared for this danger," said Jerg Hilt, managing director of the Baden-Württemberg Forestry Chamber. In addition to a regional risk analysis, it is important to continue to grow climate-stable mixed forests. "We have to make sure that we put the right tree species in the right place," Hilt told dpa. It is also important to better equip the fire brigade for fighting forest fires, to practice firefighting procedures, to dig wells and to create extinguishing ponds.
"It's all an enormous effort. Due to its history, however, Baden-Württemberg has not yet spent a lot of money on firefighting in the forest," Hilt continued. "That will certainly have to change in the coming years." Like the state, he is also counting on new partnerships and greater cooperation between forest owners, fire brigades and politicians. A good example is the model region for forest fire management in the Hardtwald in the northern Rhine plain between Ettlingen and Heidelberg. There, in close cooperation between practice and science between the fire brigade, forestry and other stakeholders, processes and concepts are developed, tested and practiced.
Baden-Württemberg, as a region with a lot of rain, has so far had a comparatively low risk, Hilt said. "But it is important that we prepare the forest areas for the time when the risk of fires increases due to climate change." The beech bark, for example, is too thin. "It doesn't take long and the tree is already broken."
Forest owners in particular are concerned about the prolonged drought. In the greater Karlsruhe area, the fire brigade was alarmed after several fires in the past few days, and the number of wildfires and forest fires has recently increased significantly in other regions. According to Hilt, forest owners have counted around 370 fires in the past ten years. During this time, more than 90 hectares of forest were destroyed, which corresponds to the size of approximately 126 soccer fields.
The State Forest Association and the German Nature Conservation Union (Nabu) also want to comment on the risk of forest fires on Tuesday (11:00 a.m.) in Stuttgart.
With around 1.4 million hectares, Baden-Württemberg is one of the most densely forested states in Germany. Almost 38 percent of the state area is forested, of which around 40 percent belongs to the municipalities and municipalities. Another 36 percent are owned by private owners, around 24 percent belong to the state of Baden-Württemberg.
