Danger of forest fires in Tölzer Land: barbecue areas closed
Created: 03/20/2022, 11:00 am
By: Felicitas Bogner
Several days without precipitation, wind and a winter with little snow: there is currently a risk of forest fires in many places in the forests in the district.
Smoking in forests is currently prohibited.
© dpa
So far in March there really hasn't been any complaints about the weather.
Plenty of sun and almost no raindrops.
But in addition to spring fever, the weather at this time of year also harbors a high risk of forest fires.
experts warn.
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen –
When you talk about the risk of forest fires, extreme heat, withered bushes and dry summer days come to mind.
In the district, the thermometer is currently not climbing above 13 degrees.
Nevertheless, the risk of forest fires is acute.
Several days without rain and a rather snowless winter result in a very dry forest floor.
"At the places in the forest where there is no more snow, the danger is currently considerable," warns Rudolf Plochmann.
He is the head of the Tölz forestry operation.
"It's because of the high pressure weather without precipitation that has been here since the end of February," he explains.
As a result, the soil dried out.
"The old grass that lies on the forest floor can be ignited incredibly easily - as dry as it is at the moment," explains Plochmann.
Forest fire risk is expected to increase in the coming days
Tobias Riesch, manager of the municipality of Lenggries, points out that the danger should even increase over the coming days.
"The second highest warning level will be reached in the southern district at the beginning of next week." The German Weather Service (DWD) also warns of this.
The same says Robert Nörr from the Office for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (AELF) in Holzkirchen.
He manages the Wolfratshausen forest district.
"Both the dry weather and the currently strong wind pose a high risk of forest fires in the extremely dry topsoil," he knows.
"The warning level is currently in the middle range." In general, there is often a risk of fire at this time.
Therefore, according to Nörr, attempts are being made to develop the forests in the district into mixed forests in the long term.
This is a good preventive measure.
Coniferous forests are the most flammable, he says.
Smoking in forests is currently prohibited
“Unfortunately, there have already been several wildfires in the district due to careless behavior.
The municipality of Lenggries therefore urgently asks all citizens to behave accordingly," appealed Riesch.
"Farmers and foresters in particular are called upon not to light any fires," he warns.
Nörr says that smoking is generally not permitted in forests from March 1st to October 31st.
He also emphasizes that forest owners should currently refrain from burning branches.
"If there is an urgent reason for this, it must be reported," he explains.
He also draws attention to the fact that you should not park on or near dry meadows.
Because hot parts of vehicles, such as the exhaust, can ignite grass or plant parts.
Likewise, under no circumstances should you dispose of glass bottles in the forest.
Riesch also asks: “When barbecuing on your own property, pay attention to fire protection.
The barbecue area at the Wasserwachthütte am Sylvensteinsee is closed until further notice.
Nörr also emphasizes that no campfires or the like may be lit at huts in the forest.
"These are all rules of common sense," says Rudolf Plochmann.
In general, fire has no place in the forest.
However, it is currently very explosive.
According to Plochmann, this situation will continue until there is enough precipitation again.
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