The current heatwave and dry conditions have significantly increased fire risk across the CERN site. Dry vegetation can ignite easily, threatening people, buildings, and operations. Despite being managed safely, a recent fire near the High Voltage substation on the Prévessin site highlighted the potential danger.

CERN’s Green Spaces team is taking measures managing vegetation to reduce fire spread, but vigilance from everyone is essential.

Preventing fires is everyone’s responsibility. We can all help by adopting a few simple precautions:

• Report smoke, fires, burning smells or unsafe situations promptly – never assume someone else will.
  • In an emergency: call the CERN Fire and Rescue Service immediately on +41 22 76 74444.
• Manage worksites proactively to minimise fire risk. This is particularly important now LS3 has begun. Remove combustible materials, control vegetation, and apply safeguards for hot work (welding, grinding). Postpone non-essential outdoor hot work during high-risk periods.

• Immediately report any threats or unsafe situations using the Incident Declaration Form.
• Check electrical equipment for damage or overheating, especially outdoors.
• Be careful when charging Li-ion batteries: please respect manufacturer instructions regarding maximum charging temperature. 
• Never discard cigarettes on the ground: use designated ashtrays and ensure cigarettes are completely extinguished.
• Do not park vehicles on dry grass. Hot exhausts can ignite dry vegetation. 
• Exercise caution at outdoor gatherings: only use barbecues, or open flames in permitted areas and if no bans apply. During periods of drought, anyone organising a barbecue must take extra care to ensure they have suitable means to extinguish any fire immediately and ensure the barbecue is completely extinguished once the event is over.
• Keep emergency access routes clear and park only in designated areas.

Further restrictions may apply during periods of extreme risk

CERN closely monitors the drought, heatwave and fire-risk information published by MeteoSwiss and Alertswiss, and the relevant Swiss and French authorities. If conditions worsen, outdoor activities (such as hot work, barbecues, public events) may be postponed or cancelled. Such measures would be communicated by HSE and the CERN Fire and Rescue Service, and must be respected by all personnel and contractors.

If you have any questions about fire safety in your own work environment, a worksite or any other context, please contact the HSE Fire Safety Engineering team by emailing hse-fset@cern.ch. They will coordinate an appropriate risk analysis in collaboration with relevant Safety offices.CERN’s Heatwave Action Plan remains in force until further notice. More information can be found at: https://hse.cern/hwap.