Schleiz (dpa/th) - Within two weeks, there were ten fires in forest and field areas in the Saale-Orla district. That is why district fire inspector Uwe Tiersch called for increased caution on Tuesday. Every fire avoided helps to protect material, the environment and people. "The constant fires are an extreme burden for the comrades of the fire brigades who work exclusively on a voluntary basis," said Tiersch, according to a statement from the district office.
Special caution is currently required. Especially because of the persistent drought, any handling of open fire on dry meadows must be avoided at all costs. Cigarette remains should not be thrown away carelessly along the way and ashtrays should only be emptied in non-flammable containers. Driving over dry field and forest paths should be carefully considered, because hot engine parts could also cause fires. When grilling or small campfires, pay attention to flying sparks, and grills and campfires should always be completely extinguished when leaving.
If a fire breaks out, the emergency number 112 should be dialed immediately. According to Tiersch, when alerting the rescue services, the most accurate information possible should be given about the local conditions and the access routes for the fire brigade should be kept free. "If you notice a fire, act as quickly as possible! Every minute counts," emphasized the district fire chief.
