The heat wave in Germany also has massive consequences for the forests: The danger of fires is increasing, in some parts of Germany the danger index is at the highest level. In view of the accumulation of forest fires, the EU is now considering the consequences.
Due to the dried out soil, there is the highest risk of forest fires in parts of Germany. The five-level danger index of the German Weather Service shows the highest level in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Berlin, Rhineland-Palatinate and Lower Saxony. Bavaria's Minister of Forestry, Michaela Kaniber, appealed to all forest visitors to be particularly careful.
"The current heat wave and the prevailing drought mean that the forest floors in many places are covered with dried, easily inflammable leaves, twigs and needles. Even a carelessly discarded cigarette butt is enough to start a serious forest fire," she said.
In view of the accumulation of forest fires, the European Union wants to buy fire-fighting aircraft. Talks would be held with several manufacturers, said the EU Commissioner for Crisis Protection, Janez Lenarcic. "The aircraft are procured by the member states, but financed 100 percent by the European Union." Lenarcic did not say which manufacturers will be commissioned because the contracts have not yet been signed.
More than half a million hectares of forest were lost to fires last year. Devastating forest fires are currently raging, especially in western France and on the Iberian Peninsula. Record heat and strong winds make fighting the conflagration particularly difficult. Thousands of people would have to leave their homes.
