Overview
- Brandenburg reports high wildfire danger at level 4 of 5 in every county, with police probing several small blazes possibly sparked by tossed cigarettes.
- Near Kloster Lehnin in Potsdam-Mittelmark, firefighters stopped a forest-floor fire that burned about 1,500 square meters as police now investigate the cause.
- In Lower Saxony, the Lüneburg wildfire center staffed up earlier than ever this month after five of nine local stations hit risk level 3, covering about 400,000 hectares.
- Officials say more than 90% of fires start with people, so smoking or open flames in or near forests are banned with fines up to €20,000.
- Forecasters expect showers and cooler air in the next few days, yet crews urge care until new spring growth lowers the dry fuel left from last year.