This has not happened in Lower Franconia in the past ten years: Because the region is particularly dry this spring, the risk of forest fires is so high next weekend that it has reached the fourth of a total of five risk levels. The government of Lower Franconia, in consultation with the regional representative of the Bavarian forest administration for forest fire fighting, has therefore ordered aerial surveillance, according to a press release.
No rain until Sunday
Because the drought persists. No rain is expected until Sunday. Even the frosty nights do not contribute to relaxation. The forest fire information service of the German weather service predicts a high risk of forest fires in large parts of Lower Franconia. The danger is particularly high on Saturday afternoon in the Lower Main region and in the districts of Main-Spessart, Hassberge, Kitzingen, Schweinfurt and in the region north of Würzburg.
The risk of fires in open areas, such as meadows without shade, is high almost everywhere in Lower Franconia next weekend. The so-called “Grassland Fire Index” indicates this danger.
Never smoke in wooded areas
In addition, due to the nice weather, many day trippers are expected in the woods and fields at the weekend. The population is therefore urgently asked to exercise extreme caution in forest areas and never to handle open fire or smoke, says press spokesman Johannes Hardenacke from the government of Lower Franconia.
On Saturday and Sunday, March 12th and 13th, observation planes will fly over Lower Franconia from 3 p.m. to detect fires in good time and prevent forest fires. The aircraft take off from the airfields of Mainbullau in the district of Miltenberg, Hettstadt in the district of Würzburg, Haßfurt in the district of Haßberge and Schweinfurt-Süd. The government of Lower Franconia bears the deployment costs from funds from the disaster control fund. The Bavarian Air Rescue Squadron provides the volunteer pilots.
In the past ten years, the first aircraft for aerial observation took off at the beginning of April at the earliest due to the risk of forest fires.
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