As the heat and drought persist, the risk of wildfires is also increasing. (File photo)
© dpa
The risk of wildfires is also rising in Berlin this weekend. For Sunday, the German Weather Service (DWD) is forecasting a level-five-out-of-five risk for Berlin-Buch, according to the DWD’s wildfire risk index.
Level four is expected to be in effect on Sunday for the stations in Marzahn and Tempelhof, and level three for Dahlem. Level five means "very high risk," level four means "high risk." Level three is referred to as "moderate risk."
The Berlin Forestry Department points out that fires are almost always caused by human activity and negligence. "A forest never catches fire on its own," said Peter Harbauer, head of information and public relations at the Berlin Forestry Department. Visitors to the forest should refrain from smoking and from starting any kind of fire. Smoke and fires should be reported immediately via the emergency hotline. It is also important to keep emergency routes and forest access roads clear.
To protect wildlife, Harbauer also recommends keeping dogs on a leash and staying on the trails. Wildlife needs rest in these temperatures. "Animals and insects reduce their range of movement, rest longer and shift their activities to the cooler hours of the night."