DistantNews
Support us
🇩🇪 Germany /Environment & Climate

Saxon Switzerland National Park asks hikers to help prevent fires

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The Saxon Switzerland National Park urges hikers to remind others about the fire and smoking ban due to rising temperatures and increased visitor numbers.
  • Park officials state that 90% of forest fires are human-caused and ask visitors to extinguish any fires they see or call emergency services if necessary.
  • The region is currently under a high fire danger warning, with the potential for extreme danger over the weekend.

The Saxon Switzerland National Park is appealing to visitors for help in preventing forest fires as dry conditions and a surge in weekend tourism raise concerns. Park spokesperson Hanspeter Mayr emphasized that "90 percent of all forest fires originate from humans." He urged hikers to actively remind fellow visitors about the strict fire and smoking ban within the park.

90 percent of all forest fires originate from humans. And we have more visitors than the average forest.

— Hanspeter MayrNational park spokesperson Hanspeter Mayr explaining the human cause of fires and the park's high visitor numbers to the German Press Agency.

Mayr explained that despite 150 signs indicating the fire danger and prohibitions, direct intervention is sometimes necessary. "If you see people making fires, ask them to put them out. And if you don't get understanding, please call 112," he implored, specifically addressing weekend visitors and tourists.

If you see people making fires, ask them to put them out. And if you don't get understanding, please call 112.

— Hanspeter MayrNational park spokesperson Hanspeter Mayr urging visitors to intervene in fire incidents or report them.

The region is currently experiencing a high fire danger level, the second-highest, with the possibility of extreme danger developing over the weekend. "Every spark can lead to a major fire," the park administration warned. While police supported park rangers with checks during a previous holiday weekend, this is not anticipated this weekend due to the current, albeit elevated, risk level.

Every spark can lead to a major fire.

— National Park AdministrationA statement from the National Park Administration regarding the fire risk.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog