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Red alert: forest fire threatens communities on the Saxony-Brandenburg border!
Forest fire in Gohrischheide: Over 500 emergency services mobilized, disaster alarm for several communities. Smoke development affects air quality.
Red alert: forest fire threatens communities on the Saxony-Brandenburg border!
Who would have thought that a forest fire could break out so close to the border between Saxony and Brandenburg? Gohrischheide has been affected since Tuesday and the situation is becoming more and more serious. The affected communities of Zeithain, Wülknitz and the city of Gröditz have been put on alert, and the evacuation of the Neudorf district, where around 290 people live, has already been lifted as the fire appears to be under control. Nevertheless, the situation remains tense, reports maz-online.de.
Over 500 emergency services from the fire department, technical relief agency and aid organizations were mobilized to fight the fire in several sections. The emergency services are trying to tame the flames with heavy equipment and numerous air support. Because of the dangers posed by any explosive ordnance present on the former military training area, helicopters must maintain a safety distance of at least 1,000 meters. This risk should not be underestimated, explains Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke, who praised the courageous use of forces and wished the two seriously injured firefighters a speedy recovery.
An unpredictable enemy
The fire has spread to an area of around 165 hectares, bringing initial estimates in the region to between 200 and 600 hectares. The situation already seems to be improving again, as the wind is driving the smoke towards Saxony, thus protecting visibility and air quality in Brandenburg. Nevertheless, cities like Radebeul and Dresden experienced increased fine dust levels, some of which were up to several times the average levels Niederlausitz-aktuell.de.
The operations management has already requested reconnaissance helicopters from the Saxon state police and water cannons from the Bundeswehr to counteract the destructive power of the fire. The authorities are also calling for caution and recommending that residents avoid affected areas and keep windows and doors closed.
Forest protection as a future issue
Forest fires are a problem that should not only be viewed locally. The importance of the forest as an ecosystem is enormous, and the protection and preservation of this area has become more urgent in Germany, a densely populated country. Forest fire data has been systematically collected since the 1970s to create forecasts and risk assessments. The aim is to significantly reduce the number and area size of forest fires ble.de confirmed.
It remains to be hoped that the ongoing operations will quickly come to a successful conclusion and that the forest in the region will soon be able to shine in its full beauty again. Meanwhile, the events impressively show how important careful forest fire prevention and careful use of the valuable forest asset are. Stay informed and protect yourself!