Increase in forest fire danger expected over Pentecost weekend

Caution during Whitsun excursions: Due to the lack of precipitation combined with high temperatures, the risk of forest fires in Brandenburg is likely to increase in the coming days, according to experts.

As of Sunday, there will probably be a medium to high risk situation, said Brandenburg's forest protection commissioner, Raimund Engel, on Thursday. This means that parts of the state are likely to reach forest fire levels 3 and 4. The maximum forest fire danger level is expressed as level 5.

Smoking and barbecuing prohibited in the forest

Anyone who wants to take advantage of the Pentecost weekend for an excursion into the Brandenburg forests must exercise caution. In principle, it is forbidden to smoke or light fires in the forest in Brandenburg, regardless of the forest fire level. Furthermore, cars may only be parked in designated forest parking areas.

So far significantly fewer forest fires than last year

Compared to last year, there have been significantly fewer forest fires so far this year, Engel reported. So far, about 13 hectares of forest have been damaged in 45 fires. Last year, about 138 fires and a damaged area of 25 hectares had been reported by the end of May.