Forest fire
Refrain from any open fire outdoors from forest-fire danger level 4 and strictly observe cantonal fire bans. If you discover a fire, report it immediately with as precise a location as possible. Get yourself and others to safety at right angles to the direction of spread – never uphill towards the fire – avoid smoke and follow the authorities' instructions.
A forest fire is the uncontrolled burning of woodland, scrub and ground litter. Three things are needed: dry fuel, an ignition source and usually wind or a slope that drives the fire. In Switzerland the vast majority of forest fires are human-caused – discarded cigarettes, poorly extinguished fires, flying sparks or arson. A smaller share is caused by lightning; in summer this share is considerably higher in the Alps.
The dry, foehn-influenced regions are particularly exposed: Valais, Ticino (above all the Sopraceneri and the Misox), Graubünden and the foehn valleys of the Pre-Alps. How fast a fire spreads depends heavily on the danger level: at low levels it usually stays at slow ground fires, while at very high danger crown fires take hold and flying sparks ignite new fires over great distances – such a fire becomes almost impossible to put out.
The consequences reach beyond the burnt forest: if protection forest is destroyed, the natural protection against avalanches, rockfall and debris flows is lost – a follow-on danger for settlements lower down that persists for years until the forest regrows.
Risk rating
Likelihood: Medium · Impact: Low → Overall risk: Low.
| Impact | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | Medium | High | |
| High | |||
| Medium | This hazard's rating | ||
| Low | |||
Legend: Low (green) · Medium (yellow) · High (red). Overall risk is likelihood multiplied by impact.
Drought, heat and wind can set forests ablaze quickly – above all in Valais, Ticino, Graubünden and foehn valleys. Take fire bans and danger levels seriously.
Immediate measures
- At a high danger level, no open fire outdoors
- Strictly observe the cantons' fire and barbecue bans
- Report a fire immediately to the fire brigade on 118
Warning signs
- High announced forest-fire danger level (3 considerable, 4 high, 5 very high)
- Persistent drought and heat, bone-dry litter and vegetation
- Strong, gusty wind or foehn conditions – rapidly fans any fire
- Smell of smoke or a visible smoke column, flying sparks, ember nests
- Official fire and barbecue bans (often absolute at levels 4–5, including official fire pits)
Before · During · After
Before
- Check the current forest-fire danger level (1–5) and cantonal bans
- At levels 4–5 (high/very high), forgo any fire in the forest
- Never discard cigarettes carelessly; always fully extinguish embers
- Do not park vehicles over dry grass (hot catalytic converter)
During
- Report the fire immediately: fire brigade 118, give the location as precisely as possible
- Get yourself and others out of the danger zone – never uphill in the direction of the fire
- Avoid smoke, flee at right angles to the direction of spread
- Follow the instructions of the authorities and fire brigade, observe closures
After
- Avoid the fire site and ember nests (risk of re-ignition)
- Return only when the authorities release the areas
- After loss of protection forest, watch for increased avalanche/rockfall danger
This really happened
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2023 Bitsch/Ried-Mörel forest fire (VS)
In July 2023 about 185 hectares burnt above Bitsch; over 200 people were evacuated and several helicopters were deployed in a large operation. The fire was triggered by rifle shots hitting a power line.
Source -
2022 Monte Gambarogno forest fire (TI)
After extreme winter drought, a fire that broke out on 30 January 2022 on Monte Gambarogno spread to around 200 hectares; 58 people were evacuated. It had been caused by two wild campers.
Source -
2003 Leuk forest fire (VS)
In the heatwave summer of 2003 around 300 hectares of forest burnt above Leuk, including important protection forest. Some 300 people were evacuated and firefighting lasted about three weeks – it was the largest forest fire in Valais for decades.
Source -
2002 Gordevio forest fire (TI)
In Ticino a forest fire near Gordevio destroyed around 325 hectares, illustrating the high fire risk of southern Switzerland.
Source
Frequently asked questions
How do I prepare for forest-fire danger?
Regularly check the current forest-fire danger level (scale 1–5) and your canton's bans. At levels 4 and 5, refrain from any fire in the forest. Never discard cigarettes carelessly, always fully extinguish embers and do not park vehicles over dry grass – a hot catalytic converter can ignite it.
Where in Switzerland is forest-fire danger highest?
Particularly exposed are the dry, foehn-influenced regions: Valais, Ticino (especially Sopraceneri and Misox), Graubünden and the foehn valleys of the Pre-Alps. Most forest fires in Switzerland are human-caused – by carelessly discarded cigarettes, poorly extinguished fires or flying sparks; a smaller share is caused by lightning, more frequent in the mountains in summer.
What consequences does a forest fire have beyond the burnt forest?
If protective forest is destroyed, natural protection against avalanches, rockfall and debris flows is lost – a follow-on danger for lower-lying settlements that persists for years until the forest regrows. After a fire, also avoid embers because they can reignite; only return after the authorities give clearance.
Official sources
- Fire brigade Report a fire immediately
- Natural hazards portal Current forest-fire danger level
- MeteoSwiss Explanation of the danger levels