Forest fire risk set to rise in Germany, especially in south and east

The danger of forest fires breaking out is set to rise across Germany in the coming days, particularly in the south and east, the national DWD weather service forecast on Monday.

Currently, only some regions - including Brandenburg, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg - are at level 4 out of 5, indicating high danger. From Wednesday, however, the DWD is forecasting high danger for large parts of southern and eastern Germany.

The situation could deteriorate further as the week progresses. 

For Thursday and Friday, meteorologists are predicting level 4 on the forest fire danger index for most of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, as well as large parts of Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, Thuringia, Saxony, Lower Saxony and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. 

In some regions - including areas west of Berlin - the highest level 5, indicating very high danger, is expected.

Heat alone does not cause fires, but high temperatures, dry conditions, low humidity and wind can increase the risk of forest fires. Arson is often the trigger. 

Experts attribute the increasing frequency of extreme conditions to climate change.