At the beginning of August, a heat wave is approaching large parts of Germany, also with regard to the past drought summers, it is important to inform yourself once again about the forest fire stages - and what to do if there is a fire.

The forest fire stages

The forest fire levels range from 1 - 5:

• 1: Very low danger. The forest can be entered without restrictions.
• 2: Low danger. Increased caution is advised; sources of ignition should be avoided. Also, cars should not be parked in forest parking lots with dry ground vegetation.
• 3: Medium danger. The danger of forest fire is increased, but entering the forest is still allowed.
• 4: High danger. The forestry authority may close the forest, as well as tourist facilities in the forest. Public roads and paths may no longer be left.
• 5: Very high danger. The forestry authority may close the forest, should not be entered or traveled on. Exceptions only for forestry authorities, fire protection forces, rescue services and disaster control.

Only 5 percent of all forest fires are due to natural causes; in all other forest fires, humans are the cause of the fire. Hunters themselves should act to prevent fires and educate.

How to prevent fires:

Open fires in the forest should be avoided urgently. Even smoldering cigarette butts can be enough to start a fire in dry vegetation. When hunting, watch out for flammable ammunition residues. Above all, hunters must be careful with their cars - even SUVs and off-road vehicles with increased ground clearance can ignite dry grass under the car. The reason for this is the very hot catalytic converter. This should be taken care of not only before approaching the hiding place, when you have just had hunting success many hunters forget to pay attention to the environment. A dry game meadow can also ignite if you drive on it to retrieve game. In addition, care should be taken to keep access roads in the forest clear in case rescue teams or fire trucks actually need to enter one's own forest.

Public relations

As a hunter, you should sensitize your private circle of acquaintances; many forest visitors are not even aware of the danger they pose. During the breeding and sowing season this concerns above all dog owners, who do not keep to the leash obligation, in the summer it is often careless excursionists, who bring the forest ignorantly by their behavior in danger. For hunters applies therefore to address and clear up.