Risk of forest fire: VfDB warns of dangerous dead wood in our forests

Risk of forest fire: VfDB warns of dangerous dead wood in our forests

Münster (ots)

The increasing concern for the dangers of dead wood in Germany's forests has called on the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (VfDB). According to Dr. Ulrich Cimolino, an expert in VfDB's forest fires, is justified in view of the current fire events, such as the recently in the Harz Mountains. It is important to take the potential dangers that go from dead wood seriously. While dead wood plays an important role in the forest ecosystem, it can act as a fire accelerator in certain situations.

The problem is that forest stocks with high proportions of dead wood can lead to an increased risk of large -scale fire, which spread faster and are more difficult to combat. Dr. Cimolino warned that the handling of dead wood in the training programs of the fire brigades should be updated urgently in order to be prepared for the specific challenges that these woods bring.

The challenges of fire fighting

A central point that Cimolino emphasizes is the need to take suitable measures for fire fighting in forests with a high proportion of dead wood. These measures include the coordinated use of aircraft to support the firefighters on the ground and to gain valuable time. Nevertheless, he warns caution: "The embers do not reach water from aircraft." Therefore, additional extinguishing agents, such as network agents and retardants, are essential to facilitate the penetration of extinguishing water and prevent rapid fire spread.

on the ground, protecting the emergency services is a decisive factor. Cimolino demands that working at forest -resident heights and in high dead wood content should only be carried out with the appropriate protective equipment, whereby modern forestry machines can contribute to protection against injuries.

a solution in sight?

The topic of dead wood in forests raises questions about sustainable management. Dr. Cimolino emphasizes that improved area management and careful mapping of the wooden stocks are absolutely necessary to minimize the risks of fires. "The forest owners in Germany seem to have different approaches to deal with their forests," he says, pointing out the width of the challenges. The fire brigade had to improve in training in order to be better prepared for the dangers that can be created by dead wood.

In the combat of the vegetation in vegetation, teamwork plays a key role. This requires not only knowledge about their own skills, but also about the possibilities and limits of the partner. Only through coordinated action can the challenges that dead wood entails effectively.

The increase in consciousness for the risks of the dead wood is urgently required to avoid future disasters. In view of the climate change and its effects on the forests, a proactive approach to area management could be of crucial importance. VfDB appeals to everyone involved, learning from the current incidents and considering dead wood as a serious factor in fire fighting.