Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) - Because of the persistent drought, Interior Minister Thomas Strobl (CDU) warned of the risk of forest fires. "Please keep in mind that even the smallest spark can lead to a fire in the woods and fields, with possibly devastating consequences," said Strobl on Wednesday in Stuttgart.
According to the German Weather Service (DWD), the peak of the heat wave was reached on Tuesday. From Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning there will be showers and thunderstorms, said a DWD spokesman. "In the southern half of the country there is a risk of severe weather with heavy rain of locally 40 liters per square meter, but occasionally up to 60 liters of rain per square meter." How high the risk of forest fires will be by the weekend depends on how the thunderstorm spreads. From Thursday and up to and including the weekend, the temperatures in Baden-Württemberg will be around 30 degrees.
According to Strobl, anyone who is out and about should pay close attention to smoke developments and, if necessary, call the fire brigade on 112. So far, Baden-Württemberg has been spared major forest and vegetation fires. A few wildfires were quickly extinguished.
