Whether in Russia or Canada, on Greek holiday islands or, as was the case recently, in Hawaii: Forest fires have destroyed vast areas this year. In contrast, there have been relatively few forest fires in Germany so far in 2023. In Brandenburg, a piece of forest burned in an area loaded with ammunition near Jüterbog in June, among other things. According to the Landesbetrieb Forst Brandenburg, the federal state has the highest risk of forest fires in Germany. A third of all forest fires occur here. However, the greatest damage this year and in recent years was not caused by fire, but by drought. Their impact was particularly bad in 2018 and 2019. The biggest problem was bark beetles, which can be rampant, especially because the forests are weakened by drought. The damage caused by storms puts additional strain on the forests.