Due to the recent high temperatures, low humidity, and lack of rain, most of Switzerland, and especially the Basel region, is experiencing a severe drought that has lead to a high risk of forest fires. The woods are currently so dry that even the smallest spark could incite a large fire. The few showers over the last couple of days have not substantially relieved this risk, and there is no significant rainfall in the forecast. Therefore, as of Friday, July 17, both cantons Basel-Stadt and Baselland have enacted several measures to reduce the risk of wildfires. These include:

• A complete ban on fires in the woods and within 200 meters of wooded areas. This ban also applies to any existing fire / grill sites in those areas and to small portable grills or fire dishes that you might bring with you. You are also forbidden to throw away any lit matches, cigarettes, or other smoking materials.
• A complete ban on any fireworks or sky lanterns; whether the traditional fireworks on July 31 / August 1 can be held is still to be decided.
• A ban on parking motorized vehicles on fields or grassy areas, as the heat from the motors could incite the dry vegetation.

Additionally, you are not allowed to take any water (eg, to water your garden) from rivers and other bodies of water in Baselland with the exception of the Rhein and upper reaches of the Birs. As already reported in a previous post (https://www.basellife.com/no-swimming-in-the-wiese-and-lower-reaches-of-the-birs-effective-immediately/), a ban on accessing and swimming in the Wiese and lower reaches of the Birs has been implemented to protect the fish that are suffering enormous stress from the reduced water and high water temperatures. This also applies to other rivers in Baselland. In general, you are encouraged to preserve water, for example, by not watering your lawns or topping up your swimming pools.

You also should be careful when walking in the woods; because of the drought, branches especially of older, larger trees can break and fall down without any warning.

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