Saxony records fewer forest fires in 2024 so far

For the current year, the lower forestry authorities in districts and independent cities in Saxony have registered 80 forest fires so far - 25 fewer than at the end of September 2023. The forest protection control book shows a forest fire area of 9.6 hectares. According to the Ministry of the Environment in Dresden, the damage is estimated at 65,000 euros. On average, 1,200 square meters were affected.

"No forest fire was larger than one hectare," said a spokesperson. The situation was comparatively relaxed with only 60 percent of the number and less than seven percent of the area of 2023. "Above all, there was no major fire like in 2023 in the Gohrischheide with 113 hectares alone."

Precipitation mitigated drought

The reason for this development was above-average precipitation. "There was no severe spring drought and dangerously dry grass and leaves from the fall and winter," said a ministry spokesperson. Around 150 percent of the long-term precipitation average fell. This also reduced the fire risk after the dry months of March and April as well as in July and August, despite the high temperatures.

Since the beginning of the year, fires have destroyed almost 6.5 hectares of conifers and a good three hectares of deciduous trees. There were also fires at timber poles, recreational facilities and Christmas tree plantations, reported the state-owned company Sachsenforst. Almost two thirds of the forest fires were caused by negligence, twelve were started deliberately and one was caused naturally by lightning. In 15 cases, the causes could not be determined. "As in previous years, forest fires are significantly influenced by human behavior."

According to the authority, the most common causes are open fires, smoking in the forest or discarded cigarette butts. Fires are also repeatedly started during harvesting work in agriculture or forestry work, even though the burning of fallen leaves is not permitted. World War II ammunition or glass bottles lying in the forest rarely ignite, however.

First forest fire in 2024 already in January

The loss cannot yet be conclusively quantified, said the Saxony Forestry spokesperson. So far, 22 cubic meters of logs and 310 cubic meters of industrial wood have fallen victim to flames. According to statistics, the first forest fire in 2024 was in January. The highest number of forest fires (24) occurred in May, with 15 each in April and August.

This is "closely linked to the dry weather with little precipitation and the previous year's vegetation, which was still dry in spring", said the spokesperson. "The vegetation-related risk of forest fires only decreased when the forest stands greened up and the leaves and grass sprouted."