Fire ban extended to further regions
A ban to make a fire near forests in southern mountain regions of Switzerland has been extended due to the continuing dry spell.
The authorities in cantons Valais, Ticino and Graubünden announced a ban several days ago, while other regions on the northern border with Germany warned people to be careful to reduce the risk of forest fires.
The principality of Liechenstein on Switzerland’s eastern border with Austria on Wednesday followed the Swiss authorities.
Regions in eastern Switzerland have also imposed a ban on taking water from rivers and lakes as water levels are considerably below average as a result of the dry and hot weather over the past few weeks.
Rangers evacuated the fish population from several local rives in central Switzerland.
The Federal Environment Office said most rivers and lakes in central and eastern Switzerland were nearing seasonal record low levels, despite a series of heavy thunderstorms over the past weekend.
The dry spell could lead to the cancellation of traditional bonfires and fireworks on Swiss National Day, August 1, if it doesn’t rain for at least three days, according to experts.
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