- Number of forest fires in Saxony at similar level to 2023
The number of forest fires reported in Saxony so far this year is, according to preliminary statistics from the state-owned company Sachsenforst, roughly at the same level as last year. "So far, 57 forest fires have been reported, which is only slightly below the same period last year," says Sachsenforst spokesperson Renke Coordes. Last year, a total of 58 forest fires were reported to the state-owned company. In 2022, there were 93. However, Coordes says that there could be fires this year that have not yet been reported.
The total affected area so far this year is 6.4 hectares, which is significantly less than in previous years. However, a comparison is hardly meaningful due to individual large fires that dominate the statistics. "The current forest fire season deviates from the average in the months of April, June, and July," explains Coordes.
Increased risk in spring
In April, high temperatures led to an increased risk of forest fires, resulting in more fires than the average of previous years. Last April, 15 forest fires were reported, compared to only two in 2023. In June and July, however, more rainfall led to a lower risk of forest fires. So far this July, only four forest fires have been reported, which is significantly lower than the numbers of previous years (2023: 36; 2022: 82).
Human action as the main cause
Coordes says that the number of forest fires usually correlates with the risk of forest fires. "More fires are ignited when the risk is high than when it is low." However, since most fires are caused by human action, the risk of forest fires is often not the main factor. "Even with high forest fire risks, no fires usually occur with responsible behavior," emphasizes Coordes.
Prevention measures and their limits
Measures to prevent forest fires, such as the construction of cisterns and the acquisition of firefighting materials, usually have no impact on the occurrence of forest fires. "These measures only come into play in the fight against and containment of already occurring fires." However, these new acquisitions have already been successfully used in several cases this year.
In the particularly endangered northern regions of Saxony, forest fires are recorded using an automated camera-assisted early detection system. This system has been in use for several years and enables quick detection and extinguishing of fires.
Despite the advancements in prevention measures, the issue of forest fires remains a concern in agriculture. Farmers in the region often rely on the forest for resources, and a forest fire could adversely affect their livelihoods by destroying essential habitats for animals and disrupting the nutrient cycle.
Furthermore, the smoke from forest fires can negatively impact the crops in nearby agricultural fields, as it reduces the amount of sunlight they receive and can lead to soil erosion due to increased wind activity.
