Severe drought after sunny days with unusually high temperatures has increased the risk of forest fires in the south of Upper Bavaria. The forest fire danger index of the German Weather Service (DWD) showed the highest level five for the southernmost parts of Upper Bavaria on Monday.
The Traunstein district office called on people to be particularly careful on Monday. “Do not park your car on dry grass as the hot catalytic converter can ignite it,” warned the district office. “Always have a garden hose or bucket of water handy when flaming weeds.” Smoking is also prohibited in the forests from March 1st to October 31st.
At the weekend there was a fire near Kiefersfelden near the border with Austria – although only in an area of 50 square meters, as the police headquarters in Upper Bavaria South announced. Also at the weekend, a fire engine on a reconnaissance trip near Unterwössen in the Traunstein district was hindered by wildly parked excursionists – the warm weather attracted many to the mountains.
Because the designated hiking parking spaces were full, hikers parked their vehicles on the side of the road in such a way that the remaining road width remained less than 2.80 meters. The fire engine was no longer able to pass through the bottleneck. Some people got a warning. “Always park in such a way that company, rescue and fire engines are not hindered in their operation,” warned the Traunstein district office.
On nice days, property owners and communities in tourist areas regularly complain about inconsiderate parking in driveways, on lawns and in narrow spaces. The rush to recreational areas, especially in the south of Munich, has been increasing for years.
Temperature records were broken in Bavaria at the weekend. According to the DWD, a preliminary peak value of 28.2 degrees was measured on Sunday in Rosenheim, Upper Bavaria. On Saturday it was warmest in Regensburg at 29.9 degrees. The previously highest value measured in the Free State in the first decade of the month from April 1st to 10th was significantly lower: In 1961, 26.8 degrees were registered in Wasserburg.
It will be cooler again this week. The risk of forest fires should decrease again in the middle of the week as the rain begins.