Farmers in Forchheim: Help the fire department against impending fires!

Farmers in Forchheim: Help the fire department against impending fires!

The summer months are just around the corner, and with them there is growing concern about wildfires in the Forchheim district. How in Franconia reports, Johannes Eisen, the commander of the Heroldsbach/Thurn fire department, called on farmers in the region to provide support. An appeal that did not come without reason: Due to the looming drought and the exceptionally hot months forecast, the risk of fires in nature has increased significantly.

In his call on June 10, 2025, Eisen asked farmers to indicate whether they have manure or water barrels and whether they are prepared to make them available if necessary. This initiative comes from the district fire inspection, which collects targeted data and has created a concept to effectively support the fire departments in times of water shortage.

The role of farmers

Collaboration between the fire department and farmers is particularly important in times of crisis. Farmers have already provided active support in fighting fires in the past. The current initiative aims to create an “information pool” in order to be able to act quickly in an emergency. Farmers are asked to contact Johannes Eisen by June 15, 2025. An appointment will then be arranged for an exchange of information and an overview of the available water barrels.

Rising temperatures and increasingly severe drought as a result of climate change are not only putting agriculture to the test, but are also affecting fire service work. Loud daily news Fire departments are now often called to outdoor operations instead of to fires in closed rooms. Droughts and floods require new processes and more intensive cooperation between emergency services.

New challenges and solutions

Climate researchers warn of an increase in the number of forest and field fires. To counteract this, special exercises in dry terrain are required. Obtaining water is also becoming increasingly challenging, as small streams often do not carry enough water. Firefighters need at least 1,000 liters of water per minute to be able to extinguish fires effectively. A suitable water supply is often a challenge, especially in hilly terrain. Fire hydrants are not available everywhere, which means innovative solutions are required.

In order to cope even in difficult situations, the fire department is pursuing new concepts. This includes the use of lighter clothing for vegetation fires and the purchase of off-road vehicles. There is also a focus on more intensive networking between the fire departments in order to be able to provide better support in acute situations. Climate crash emphasizes that not only the fire departments but also citizens are called upon to protect forests and fields from fires.

Above all, the question remains: How can we best meet the challenges posed by climate change together? It is up to the cooperation and personal responsibility that each of us can take on in order to conserve resources and maintain the fire department's operational readiness.