Heat wave and forest fires: Thuringia under disaster alarm!

Heat wave and forest fires: Thuringia under disaster alarm!

Heidehäuser, Deutschland - It is July 3, 2025 and summer shows its oppressive heat in Germany. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), the hottest day of the year is today. Specific temperature values ​​are only announced in the evening, but a worrying situation is already emerging. Violent thunderstorms are on the way and indicate an upcoming cooling that is to occur from Thursday. The heat wave not only has Germany under control, but also many European countries, including Spain and Austria, where heat records also fall.

as from rnd.de can expect the meteorologists in the south of the afternoon Occasionally thunderstorms, while storm -like thunderstorms in the northwest and Northern Europe could open storm -like thunderstorms from the late afternoon. Heavy rain and the associated possible damage are particularly dangerous.

forest fires and disaster alarm

While the temperatures rose mercilessly, the extreme dryness leads to devastating forest fires in several places. The east of Germany is particularly affected, where there have been numerous fires in the Saalfeld region. Around 250 hectares of burning area have already been registered here. [FAZ.NET] (https://www.faz.net/aktuell/hitenschen/hitzewelle-im-liveblog-im-im-men- Deutschlands-faz-111056708.html) reports that the disaster alarm was triggered at 5:30 p.m. and 100 additional emergency services were requested to combat the location. In Heidehäuser, a place on the border of Saxony and Brandenburg, a dormitory had to be evacuated for severely disabled people, which affects around 100 people, including 45 residents.

The fire areas expand further, another forest fire on a former military training area at Jüterbog threatens 40 hectares. In Thuringia there are also impairments in long-distance transport: the railway line between Erfurt and Gotha was blocked, which leads to delays and failures on the ICE trains.

health risks from the heat

The heat also brings health risks, especially for older people and children who are spending at these temperatures. According to the [Robert Koch institut] (https://www.rki.de/de/aktuens/publikation/journal-of-health-monitoring/g-downloadsj/focus/jhealthmonit_2023_S4_HITZENSPERCHTSPERCHTSPERCHT_KLIMAWALLETHENTHEIT.HETHNNISTHETHERSICHT. Increasing temperature due to climate change to the health of many people. Cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases occur more often, and it is not uncommon to observe serious side effects of medication. Studies show that the deaths increase strikingly during heat waves.

Meanwhile, it shows that the heat not only has problems for health, but also for infrastructure. On Autobahn 5 towards Heidelberg, lane damage and a closure had to be noted due to the high temperatures. In Frankfurt, air quality suffers from high ozone values ​​that can cause health symptoms.

In today's heat period, special empathy is therefore required - in urban planning, but also in daily handling to protect yourself and others from the consequences of the extreme heat. A rethinking is urgently necessary to be able to meet the challenges of climate change and the more frequent extreme weather situations.