Due to the persistent drought and the increasing risk of forest fires, four of the six districts in the state of Salzburg issued forest fire ordinances on Friday. In these districts, lighting a fire in forests and in the immediate danger area is now prohibited. Smoking is also prohibited there. In addition, the burning of branches or plant remains is also prohibited in the vicinity of the forest, the country informed on Friday followingnoon.
Specifically, corresponding ordinances were issued for the districts of Flachgau, Pongau and Pinzgau as well as the state capital. In the Lungau and Tennengau, the situation is being closely monitored and, if necessary, followed up.
Short showers don’t help
“Even if there has been regional precipitation recently, the top layers of soil in the forests dry out very quickly. Even short and heavy rain showers only ease the situation for a short time, as the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics assumes above-average temperatures and only little precipitation until mid-August ” State forest director Michael Mitter summed up the situation. “No fire in the forest and in its catchment area is the most important protection here, because more than 80 percent of forest fires are caused by people,” says Mitter.
Anyone who does not comply with the ban must expect a fine of up to more than 7,200 euros or a substitute prison sentence of up to four weeks, according to the state.
The situation is assessed by the respective district foresters. In addition, the state of Salzburg has started a field test for technical monitoring in Lammertal. Six small weather stations plus ground sensors, which measure the humidity at a depth of a few centimeters and send it to a central server, were installed, all at 900 meters above sea level and facing north to be able to compare the data better. The data is currently only being forwarded, but it will also be evaluated and linked in the near future. If the pilot project proves successful, Agricultural Councilor Josef Schwaiger (ÖVP) is considering extending it to the entire federal state.
