The current heatwave and dry conditions have significantly increased the risk of fire across the CERN site. Dry vegetation can ignite easily, threatening people, buildings and operations. Although a recent fire near the high-voltage substation on the Prévessin site was safely managed, it highlighted the potential danger.

CERN’s Green Spaces team is taking measures to manage vegetation to reduce the spread of fire, 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, the smell of burning or unsafe situations promptly – never assume that someone else will.
  • In an emergency: call the CERN Fire and Rescue Service immediately on +41 22 76 74444.
• Manage worksites proactively to minimise the risk of fire. This is particularly important now that LS3 has begun. Remove combustible materials, keep vegetation under control and apply safeguards when carrying out 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: respect manufacturers’ instructions regarding the maximum charging temperature. 
• Never discard cigarettes on the ground: use designated ashtrays and ensure that cigarettes are completely extinguished. 
• Do not park vehicles on dry grass. Hot exhausts can ignite dry vegetation. 
• Exercise caution at outdoor gatherings: while you can still enjoy and use the dedicated picnic areas around CERN, please note that following measures taken in the Host States*, barbecues and open flames (campfires, etc.) are currently prohibited.
• 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, Alertswiss and the relevant Swiss and French authorities. If conditions worsen, outdoor activities (such as hot work or public events) may be postponed or cancelled. Such measures are 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, at a worksite or in any other context, please contact the HSE Fire Safety Engineering team at hse-fset@cern.ch. They will coordinate an appropriate risk analysis in collaboration with the relevant Safety Officers.

CERN’s Heatwave Action Plan remains in force until further notice. More information can be found at: https://hse.cern/hwap.

* For more information see: https://www.ain.gouv.fr/Actualites/Actualites/Interdiction-de-feu-a-l-air-libre-et-d-usage-d-artifices-pyrotechniques and https://www.ge.ch/document/43718/telecharger