Fire department warns against gas burners after field fire in Wetter, North Rhine-Westphalia
A field fire on a company premises in Wetter, North Rhine-Westphalia, was caused by a gas burner used for weed control, prompting the local fire department to warn against the practice amid dry conditions.
The incident
A field fire broke out on a company premises in Wetter (Ruhr) on Thursday, 25 June 2026. The fire was triggered by a gas burner being used for weed control. Three firefighting units and a special vehicle were dispatched to extinguish the flames.
Leider wäre dieser Einsatz vermeidbar gewesen.
Fire department warning
Following the incident, the Feuerwehr Wetter/Ruhr issued a public warning. The department urged residents to refrain from using gas burners for weed control given the current dry conditions. Even a small spark or an unnoticed smoldering spot can ignite dry grass, hedges, or other vegetation, leading to a rapidly spreading fire.
Dry conditions
North Rhine-Westphalia has been experiencing a period of dryness, increasing the risk of vegetation fires. The fire department stressed that such incidents are avoidable if simple precautions are taken.
