The picnic areas in and around the forest have already been closed due to the ongoing drought. Effective immediately, there is a complete ban on barbecuing at the remaining public picnic areas. This also applies to gas grills and similar grills. To protect the forest, smoking is prohibited in the forest year-round. Law enforcement will be conducting more frequent checks of these areas. 

Event organizers are also prohibited from using charcoal grills. Barbecuing in pavilions or tents is likewise prohibited. Food trucks or trailers with solid floors are exempt from this rule. Event organizers must sufficiently water the parking areas. Parking areas for other vehicles used for setup and takedown must also be adequately watered. Event organizers must provide additional fire-fighting equipment—such as extra fire extinguishers and filled water buckets. If necessary, grassy areas must be sufficiently watered before the event begins. The use of fireworks or pyrotechnics is strictly prohibited; exceptions must be coordinated with the Environmental Protection Agency. Restaurants and community gardens located near forests—within 100 meters as the crow flies—are not permitted to light fires or use pyrotechnics. 

Both the Forest Fire Danger Index (WBI) and the Grassland Fire Index (GFI) describe the meteorological potential for forest fire risk and the fire risk to open areas, such as meadows. The fire danger is indicated on a five-level scale: from 1 = very low danger to 5 = very high danger. The WBI and the GFI are used by state authorities responsible for wildfire prevention to assess the risk of wildfires and to issue warnings. Warning levels 1 and 2 do not require any measures. At higher warning levels, different measures are taken or mandated: at Level 3, forest barbecue areas are closed; at Level 4, a general ban on barbecuing applies at public barbecue areas; and at Level 5, in addition to the barbecue ban, strict requirements apply to event organizers. 

Those interested can find more detailed information on the current situation online at www.wiesbaden.de/waldbrandgefahr (opens in a new tab).