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Guide · GUIDE 17

Protection in a wildfire

Last reviewed on 29.06.2026

The vast majority of wildfires in Switzerland are caused by humans – discarded cigarettes, poorly extinguished fires or flying sparks. Particularly exposed are the dry, foehn-influenced regions: Valais, Ticino, Graubünden and the foehn valleys. How quickly a fire spreads depends heavily on the danger level. Taking fire bans and danger levels (1–5) seriously is the most effective protection.

Current situation: check the situation dashboard to see whether any warnings are currently in effect for this hazard.

How do I prevent a wildfire?

  1. Check the current wildfire danger level (1–5) and cantonal bans
  2. At level 4–5 (high/very high), refrain from any fire in the forest
  3. Never discard cigarettes carelessly; always fully extinguish embers
  4. Do not park vehicles over dry grass (hot catalytic converter)
  5. If living at the forest edge: keep flammables away from the house, know the escape route

During: in a fire

  1. Report the fire immediately: fire brigade 118, give the location as precisely as possible
  2. Get yourself and others out of the danger zone – never uphill in the direction of the fire
  3. Avoid smoke, flee perpendicular to the direction of spread
  4. Follow the instructions of authorities and firefighters, observe closures
  5. In case of evacuation, take the emergency bag, plan for pets

After: after the fire

  1. Avoid the fire site and smouldering nests (risk of re-ignition)
  2. Only return once the authorities clear the areas
  3. After loss of protection forest, watch for an increased avalanche/rockfall risk

What equipment do I need for a wildfire?

Private individuals do not put out a forest – the most important «equipment» is information and an escape route.

  1. Access to the current danger level (natural hazards portal/app)
  2. Charged phone to call 118 and pass on the location
  3. Emergency bag within reach in case of evacuation
  4. If living at the forest edge: garden hose, leaves/brushwood away from the house
  5. Sturdy shoes and a cloth over mouth/nose against smoke while fleeing

Common mistakes

  1. Grilling or making a fire despite a fire ban
  2. Not fully extinguishing embers or cigarettes
  3. Running uphill in the direction of the fire while fleeing
  4. Trying to put out a wildfire yourself instead of reporting it and fleeing
  5. Parking a vehicle with a hot catalytic converter over dry grass

Frequently asked questions

How do I tell whether there is currently a forest-fire danger?

Five-level forest-fire danger scale (1 low – 5 very high), FOEN/cantons, on naturgefahren.ch. At high levels, often fire bans.

How do I behave so as not to start a forest fire?

Most forest fires in Switzerland are human-caused. Strictly observe fire bans, never leave a fire unattended, no cigarettes in nature, report suspicious smoke to the fire brigade (118).

What do I do if a forest is burning near me?

Get to safety (away from smoke/flames), alert the fire brigade on 118, follow instructions from the authorities/Alertswiss.

Official sources