Because of the ongoing drought, the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) has once again warned of the increasing risk of forest fires.
There are severe precipitation deficits, especially in the west, in the middle, and parts of northern and eastern Germany, said the vfdb Forest Fire Expert, Fire Director - Dr. Ulrich Cimolino.
Meteorological findings
“The previous forecasts do not give any reason to give the all-clear,” said Dr. Ulrich Cimolino, adding, “According to the meteorologists’ findings, significant rainfall is only expected in isolated cases. Instead, increasing solar radiation must be expected in the coming weeks. The danger is getting bigger and bigger.”
Damaged vegetation
The bark beetle is increasingly attacking even previously healthy populations
The situation is becoming increasingly dangerous because, following the storm and drought damage, the vegetation is already damaged by bark beetle infestation in large areas.
The bark beetle is increasingly attacking even previously healthy populations.
preventative forest fire protection
Cimolino spoke out strongly in favor of more preventative forest fire protection. This includes path maintenance as well as the restoration of dilapidated paths, and the preparation and maintenance of paths and extraction points for fire-fighting water.
At the same time, the expert reiterated his call to control the growth of coniferous monocultures towards more mixed forests: “However, we also have to accept that in some places this is not possible or only possible in the very long term.”
vegetation fire fighting
Support a total of 22 research and model projects on the subject of forest fires nationwide
Dr. Ulrich Cimolino once again suggested even closer cooperation between forestry, environmental and nature conservation, and fire departments. Overall, there is a significant need for research on the subject of vegetation fire fighting at all levels.
He welcomed the initiative of the Federal Ministries of Food and Agriculture as well as the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety to support a total of 22 research and model projects on the subject of forest fires nationwide with a total volume of around 11.3 million euros.
Georeferenced aerial exploration
Meanwhile, the vfdb General Secretary - Dirk Oberhagemann, at a hearing in the Lower Saxony state parliament, called for nationally applicable concepts to be developed against forest and moorland fires due to the cross-state problem situation.
In Germany, preventive forest fire protection is the responsibility of the federal states and is formulated in the state forest laws. According to Dirk Oberhagemann, European experiences should also be taken into account, such as georeferenced aerial exploration, to improve the ability to act.
