Great fire in Gohrischheide: smoke alarm for all of South Brandenburg!

Great fire in Gohrischheide: smoke alarm for all of South Brandenburg!

in the Gohrischheide near Zeithain, Saxony, a devastating major fire, which has been keeping the emergency services in suspense since Saturday, July 5, 2025. The dense smoke that spreads through the southern wind has already reached large parts of southern Brandenburg and alarms the population. The Katwarn warning system has raised the alarm for many regions in Brandenburg, including the districts of Elbe-Elster, Oberspreewald-Lausitz, Dahme-Spreewald, Spree-Neiße and Cottbus. The decision to keep windows and doors closed makes sense because the air quality is impaired by the fire. In this background, the fire brigade appeals to the citizens of being aware of the smell of smoking and only in the event of a specific suspicion of a local fire to choose emergency call 112 in order to avoid false alarms. Niederlausitz Aktuell describes the situation on site and emphasizes that the affected area of the fire is valued at up to 500 hectares is.

The situation on the fire front is tense, but the extinguishing work is supported by a large team of firefighters, the Technical Relief Agency (THW), the Bundeswehr and other emergency services. In addition, the Bundeswehr helicopters and water cannons are used by the police - but exclusively in non -contaminated areas. A great success could be reported on Friday night: the spread of the fire towards a nearby Bundeswehr barracks could be stopped. Nevertheless, the situation remains dynamic, and the citizens are called on to exercise special caution and to obtain medical advice in the event of health complaints, in particular breathing problems.

evacuations and dangers

The Brandenburg fire brigade has struggled against several forest fires at the same time in the past few days. Several hectares were affected, especially in the Elbe-Elbe district, on Tuesday, July 2, 2025, which made a temporary evacuation of the nearby village of Kleinbahren necessary. Around 52 people had to leave their homeland at times. However, the evacuation has already been canceled after the fire brigade was able to control the fire. According to the Tagesschau, 300 emergency services with 36 vehicles were deployed. The flames spread to around 22 hectares at Sonnewalde, but this fire could also be brought under control.

The situation is particularly critical by the current drought and human activities, which are considered as possible causes of fire. The area in which the fires rage is also considered to be "suspicious of ordnance", which also complicated the extinguishing work. Interior Minister René Wilke has called on the population for mindfulness, since Brandenburg currently has the highest forest fire hazard in Germany.

forest fire statistics and forecasts

The development of forest fires in Germany shows a current trend that the Federal Environment Agency determines. In 2023 there were a total of 1,059 forest fires, which represents a decline by half compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, the affected area remained higher on average than in many years before. The high fire area in Brandenburg is particularly alarming: 251 fires were recorded here, the largest fire area was impressive 765.2 hectares.

The forest fire situation is expected to change, since the forecasts predict an increasing risk in the coming decades, which is promoted above all by increasing temperatures and decreasing rainfall. Especially in the period between May and July, in which most fires occur, great caution should therefore be required.

The population in the affected areas continues to be asked to be vigilant and to adhere to the recommendations of the authorities in order to ensure the safety of everyone. The emergency services work with high pressure to contain the fire and bring the situation under control.