The unusually high temperatures and lack of rainfall of Luxembourg's current heat wave have put the country at an increased risk of forest fires.
The Nature and Forest Administration and Emergency Services Administration of the Luxembourg government have reported that a short, heavy rainfall period is not sufficient to thoroughly moisten the soil and decrease the flammability of a forest, meaning that Luxembourg's current period of drought has put it at risk of forest fires.
The Administrations have therefore warned the public to exercise increased vigilance in forests around the country during this period of drought, especially as most fires are caused by humans. The public has therefore been asked to exercise caution, by avoiding igniting fires as in the case of grilling, disposing of incendiary objects such as cigarettes, and avoiding leaving pieces of glass behind that can act as a heat magnifier from the sun and become a fire hazard.
The population has also been asked to park their cars on only non-combustible surfaces such as asphalt or paved roads and avoid leaving the car in grassy areas which may start a fire when it comes into contact with the car's muffler or catalytic converter. Access to forest roads should not be blocked, to allow for the passage of fire engines, and forest ramblers should ensure they have located paths beforehand to allow them the quickest possible route out of the forest in case of a fire.
The government has requested that the appearance of a cloud of smoke should be immediately reported to the emergency services by calling 112. The caller should be prepared to give the most accurate location information of the site concerned, and be able to give a description of the surroundings, such as people present; nearby dwellings; and direction of the fire. The caller should then retire to a safe meeting point in order to guide the rescue units to the disaster site, remaining on the phone until the operatore on the Central Emergency Relief (112) has all the necessary information.
Photo by Police Grand-Ducale
