A warning has been issued concerning an increased risk of forest fires in Luxembourg at present.
Due to unusually high temperatures and a lack of precipitation, there is currently an increased risk of forest fires. Indeed, long periods of drought make forests extremely flammable and this risk persists even after short periods of rain that are insufficient to thoroughly wet the soil.
It is therefore essential to exercise greater vigilance in the forest during this period of drought, especially since most fires are man-made. As such, the Luxembourg Nature and Forests Administration and Grand-Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps have issued a series of tips for preventing forest fires.
Firstly, caution is advised: avoid making fires (BBQs for example), avoid throwing objects on or near ignited surfaces such as cigarettes, avoid leaving pieces of glass which can sometimes start a fire. Other suggestions include only parking vehicles on non-combustible surfaces and leaving access to forest roads free to allow the passage of fire engines. Pedestrians are advised to locate paths to quickly get out of the forest in the event of a fire.
Finally, anyone witnessing a cloud of smoke should inform the emergency services as soon as possible by calling 112, providing the most accurate information about the location of the fire and its surroundings. A meeting point should also be arranged in a safe place to guide rescue units to the scene of the incident.
