Erfurt (dpa/th) – The risk of forest fires has reached warning level 4 in parts of Thuringia and thus the second highest danger level. This level was registered on Thursday in around half of the regions designated by the Thuringia Forest Agency. In the other half of the regions, the forest fire danger level 3 was indicated.

The German Weather Service (DWD) expects the situation to ease significantly over the weekend. According to the DWD forest fire risk index, only risk level 3 should apply in most parts of the country on Friday, and only risk levels 1 or 2 in many regions on Saturday. The reason for the drop is likely to be rain and thunderstorms, which are expected during the course of Friday.