Waldbrand in Kolkwitz: Seriously injured person flown to clinic!

Waldbrand in Kolkwitz: Seriously injured person flown to clinic!

In the late afternoon of June 30, 2025, a forest fire broke out in Kolkwitz-Hänchen, which caught an area of about 600 m² of forest floor. The fire brigades were alerted at 5:30 p.m. and a great effort was required to extinguish the fire. One person suffered severe burns and was flown to a special clinic with a rescue helicopter. The cause of the fire is currently still unclear and the investigation is in full swing. Fortunately, the fire was successfully deleted before it could spread further, reports the Lausitzer Rundschau.

The incidents in Kolkwitz are not isolated. Forest fires are currently also employed by other regions, in particular the environment of Jerusalem, where several large fires have been waving since May 1, 2025. Numerous places of residence had to be cleared there, and the military is in use, supported by help from abroad. So far, 17 firefighters have been injured, and over 100 vehicles had to be abandoned due to the dense smoke. This situation is still tightened by warning weather reports, which warn of strong wind that could begin the fires, as the daily show states.

The global threat from forest fires

forest fires are a widespread problem that is not only gained in importance not only locally, but also globally. Climate change contributes significantly to drying and heat periods that promote these fire. They have devastating effects on living beings and habitats worldwide. The numbers are alarming: In 2023, over 1,200 hectares were destroyed by forest fires in Germany, while in 2022 it was even more than 3,000 hectares. This is the highest value in the past 30 years. Brandenburg and Lower Saxony are the most affected regions within Germany, adds Statista.

The most common causes of forest fires are arson and negligence, with about half of the fires back to unknown causes. From 2001 to 2023, over 138 million hectares of trees were destroyed by fires worldwide. Regions such as the Amazon area, California and Australia are particularly affected. In the first months of 2023, almost 37,000 forest fires were registered in the Brazilian rainforest alone. These frightening numbers underline the urgency with which prevention measures and an awareness of this topic must be promoted.

The reaction of the authorities

The reactions to these events are complex. While the fire brigade was able to successfully intervene in Kolkwitz, there are major challenges in other fire areas. The military supports the local emergency services to control the fires. Next steps could include cooperation with international partners, as has already happened in the case of the forest fires around Jerusalem.

People in the affected areas observe the situation with concern, because the continued danger of forest fires not only requires quick action, but also long -term solutions. Awareness of the risks must be sharpened, and it is all the more important to develop and implement strategies for fire prevention.

The incidents in Kolkwitz and Jerusalem are a wake -up call for the entire society that has to face the challenges of climate change. This is the only way we can hope to protect nature and our habitats and avoid future tragedies.