Red alert: drought increases risk of forest fires
Dry soil, lack of rain and already in March: high fire risk in our forests!
A forest fire in the district of Freistadt/Upper Austria shows how dangerous the situation currently is - the risk of forest fires is already extremely high early in the year. Caution is advised!
Even small fires can spread rapidly and threaten humans and animals. In addition to causing extensive damage, they also represent a massive ecological burden for air, water and soil.
"A carelessly discarded cigarette butt alone can trigger a catastrophe," emphasizes DI Dr. Günther Schwabegger, press spokesman for the BVS (Fire Prevention Agency) Upper Austria.
Humans as triggers for forest fires
Around 80 percent of forest fires in Austria are man-made.
"Our urgent appeal is therefore to behave thoughtfully and carefully in the forest. Carelessly discarded cigarettes, open fires or barbecues can have devastating consequences and quickly turn into playing with fire in the forest in the truest sense of the word," says Georg Schöppl, Spokesman of the Austrian Federal Forestry Board.
However, if a fire does occur, it is essential to act quickly: "Don't hesitate to call the fire department immediately on the emergency number 122 if you notice smoke or flames. The first few minutes are crucial to prevent the fire from spreading," emphasizes Schöppl.
Responsible behavior near forests and in meadows is particularly important now:
- No open fires or lights in the forest or on meadows
- Strict smoking ban, do not throw away any cigarette butts
- Do not park vehicles on dry grass
- Keep access routes to forests clear
However, if a fire does break out, every second counts:
- Alert the fire department immediately
- if possible, smother small fires with earth or sand
- Even apparently extinguished fires must be reported to prevent them from flaring up again
Personal responsibility is required. Every fire caused by careless behavior is one too many!
