Fire bans tighten across Switzerland as new heat wave grips country
AgenciesGENEVASwiss authorities maintained strict fire bans in several cantons Monday as persistent drought heightened wildfire risks, while much of the country entered another hea...
Swiss authorities are enforcing rigorous fire bans across several cantons on Monday, as persistent drought conditions and a new heat wave heighten the risk of wildfires. The Swiss agencies have issued warnings that outdoor fires are prohibited in Geneva, Basel-Stadt, and Basel-Landschaft, while fireworks remain banned in the latter two regions. Authorities are warning of extreme or maximum forest fire danger due to the severe weather and drought.
Nearly all of Switzerland is currently under an open-fire ban, with residents in Geneva required to use only gas or electric barbecues on private property under specific safety conditions. In Basel-Stadt, forest fire danger has reached the highest level, Level 5, prompting a ban on sky lanterns and strict rules against discarding burning cigarettes or matches. Basel-Landschaft has implemented similar restrictions and warned of falling branches and trees due to the drought, while also imposing water usage limitations.
Meanwhile, Switzerland is bracing for another intense heat wave, with MeteoSwiss issuing a Level 3 heat warning for the Lake Geneva basin, the Three Lakes region, and much of German-speaking Switzerland. Maximum temperatures are forecast to reach between 31°C (87.8°F) and 36°C (96.8°F) nationwide, with the heat wave expected to peak from Thursday and endure until at least Friday, Aug.
14. Geneva and the Basel regions are imposing particularly strict fire restrictions as MeteoSwiss warns that temperatures could soar to 36 degrees Celsius.
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