Forest fire danger ratings

 

Level 1: low danger

Description of the fire
Cause: The possibility of small fires cannot be excluded. However, considerable energy input would be required. Lightening strikes are very unlikely to cause a fire.
Rate of spread: Generally slow.
Characteristics: Ground fire or wildfire, tree crowns are not affected, the humus layer is not burnt.
Firefighting: Forest fires easy to extinguish.

 

Level 2: moderate danger

Description of the fire
Cause: Spontaneous fires can arise locally. Lightning strikes rarely cause extensive blazes.
Rate of spread: Slow to medium.
Characteristics: Ground fire or wildfire, tree crowns are rarely affected. The humus layer is not burnt or only slightly burnt.
Firefighting: Forest fires usually easy to extinguish.

 

Level 3: considerable danger

Description of the fire
Cause: Burning matches and flying sparks from barbecues can cause a fire. Lightning strikes can also cause extensive fires.
Rate of spread: Fast on open ground, medium in the forest.
Characteristics: The humus layer is partly burnt, individual tree crowns may be burnt.
Firefighting: Forest fires can only be extinguished by trained firefighters using modern equipment.

 

Level 4: high danger

Description of the fire
Cause: Burning matches, flying sparks from barbecues and lightning strikes are very likely to cause a fire.
Rate of spread: Fast also in the forest.
Characteristics: Hot ground fire with spread to crowns of individual trees, wildfire possible, the humus layer is burnt.
Firefighting: Forest fires difficult and costly to extinguish.

 

Level 5: very high danger

Description of the fire
Cause: Fires can break out at any time.
Rate of spread: Very fast for long periods of time.
Characteristics: Very hot fire, extensive crown fire, wildfire over large distances.
Firefighting: Practically impossible to extinguish forest fires.