Rain brings hope for Easter fire: the risk of forest fire decreases considerably!
Rain brings hope for Easter fire: the risk of forest fire decreases considerably!
In the night of Sunday, April 15, 2025, urgently needed rain fell in North Rhine-Westphalia. As WDR , the amounts of rain in Emsdetten varied between one and eleven liters per square meter, while in Gevelsberg, Wipperfürth and Breckerfeld at about 13 liters per square meter. Meteorologist Jürgen Vogt pointed out big differences in the rainy amounts within individual places.
The rain not only affects nature, but also reduces the risk of forest fire. The German Weather Service classifies this as "low" and on the forest fire-hafay scale was given for most regions level 2. This positive development gives rise to hope for the organizers of the traditionally celebrated Easter fire, which have been concerned in the past few weeks due to weeks of drought. While some Easter fire, as in Oberdielfen, have already been canceled as a precaution, cities and municipalities in the district of Siegen-Wittgenstein are planning that the customs fire can take place.
weather forecast and effects on the Easter weekend
From Tuesday from Tuesday, changeable weather with rain and thunderstorms will be expected in North Rhine-Westphalia. The temperatures are expected to rise between 18 and 22 degrees, with strongly gusty wind. Further showers are announced on Wednesday and the temperatures on the Weser could reach up to 20 degrees, while it gets warm in other regions between 12 and 16 degrees. Thursday and Good Friday are also cool, with temperatures below 15 degrees and changeable weather. For the Easter weekend (Holy Saturday to Easter Monday), however, warmer weather with up to 19 degrees and probably predominantly dry sky is predicted.
Back to the Easter Fires: Despite optimistic forecasts, the situation remains tense. The danger levels could sink through further rain, which makes the organizers easier. The district fire chief in the district of Siegen-Wittgenstein advises to do without Easter fire from warning level 3. Special precautions also apply in the city of Hagen from forest fire, since the implementation is considered too dangerous.
additional concerns and challenges
The customs of Easter fires have a long tradition in many regions. However, there is also criticism: Animal rights activists point out that animals are looking for shelter in the wood piles and can thus become a target through the flames. Initial discussions about the implementation of the Easter fire due to the drought period have nevertheless declined, thanks to the positive development through the rain.
In summary, it can be seen that the rain is of great benefit to the plants and at the same time reduces the risk of forest fire. These factors open up new opportunities for organizers of the Easter fire, even if the final decisions depend on the security offices of the affected circles. The calculation of the forest fire risk is subject to various climatic and phenological criteria that decide whether the danger levels can be increased or reduced, as well as Details