Fire hazard: smoking strictly prohibited in the forest

In view of the persistent heat and drought, the Berlin fire brigade has once again expressly warned of forest fire risks.

It is important that people follow certain rules, fire brigade spokesman Thomas Kirstein told the ZDF morning show on Thursday. "The biggest problem is: there must be no smoking in the forest. No smoking, no fires in the forest." Barbecues are forbidden there anyway, he said, given the current high warning levels. Residents of the forest would have to keep safety distances of 100 metres when barbecuing, larger distances would be even better.

Use official forest parking areas by car

Secondly, people arriving by car should use the official forest parking areas. "It's a big problem that many park on the side of the road with the hot engine parts and then ignite the dry grass." Fires would start like this again and again.

"Stay on the forest paths"

Thirdly, he said, it was important that "what is brought into the forest must also be taken out again". Foresters are always complaining that there is a lot of rubbish in the forests. This rubbish can burn in addition to the dry wood. The basic recommendation is: "Stay on the forest paths."