German Firefighters' Association Calls for More Technology and Specialized Vehicles for Forest Fires

The background to the demand is the ongoing drought in large parts of Germany. According to maps from the German Weather Service, warning level 4 applies on Wednesday in nearly all regions, and in some areas even the highest level 5. This significantly increases the likelihood of fires in forests and open areas.

Current Situation: Warning Levels and Fires

During the heatwave at the end of June, forest and vegetation fires had already broken out in several federal states. On the night into Saturday, hundreds of emergency personnel in Nuremberg near the exhibition grounds battled flames for hours. According to the Federal Information Center for Agriculture, a total of 2,626 hectares burned in Germany last year – an area the size of the island of Norderney.

Banse also spoke out in favor of a permanent stationing of firefighting aircraft in Central Europe in order to be able to respond more quickly to fires in Germany, Poland, or the Czech Republic. "Noch stärker werden könnten wir bei der Brandbekämpfung aus der Luft," he said. The Harz district in Saxony-Anhalt has already rented a firefighting aircraft.

Technology in Use: Robots and Aerial Support

When asked about technical alternatives, Banse pointed to firefighting robots. "Mit Löschrobotern ist eine ganze Menge machbar, zumal es in Deutschland Firmen gibt, die damit Marktführer in der Welt sind." Based on experiences with fires on former military training grounds, splinter-protected vehicles have also been procured. "Aus dieser Erfahrung heraus wird verstärkt auf Löschroboter gesetzt und es wurden splittergeschützte Fahrzeuge angeschafft für Einsätze in den munitionsbelasteten Bereichen," Banse explained.

The association president also acknowledged that a complete overhaul of the equipment is not possible overnight. "Der Klimawandel ist vorhergesagt worden, aber man kann natürlich nicht von heute auf morgen alles um- und nachrüsten," he said. In the past, the Federal Police and the Bundeswehr had already provided firefighting aircraft for support.

The situation is also being taken seriously at the European level. According to earlier statements by the EU Commission, hundreds of additional firefighters were deployed this summer to particularly at-risk regions such as Greece, Italy, and Spain. Twenty-two aircraft and 5 helicopters were available from the EU fleet for firefighting operations.

Causes: Climate Change and Human Misconduct

In Andalusia, Spain, several people lost their lives in a forest fire this summer. According to the Federal Information Center for Agriculture, more than one million hectares burned in Europe last year – more than ever before. Climate change increases the likelihood of fires through long periods of drought and heat, particularly in the Mediterranean region.

According to the assessment of Hessenforst, around 90 percent of forest fires in Germany are attributable to human misconduct. "Rund 90 Prozent der Waldbrände in Deutschland sind auf menschliches Fehlverhalten zurückzuführen," the state institute stated. Typical causes include cigarettes, barbecue fires, and parking cars on dry ground.

The German Firefighters' Association therefore sees prevention as decisive in addition to the technical upgrade. Banse emphasized that, despite all the progress, the fire services continue to depend on additional resources in order to be able to respond to the growing number and intensity of forest fires.

The coming weeks are considered particularly critical: In view of the ongoing drought and the high warning levels, emergency services are expecting an increased risk of fires in forests, in fields, and near settlements.