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THW emergency services are fighting devastating forest fires in Saxony!
Find out how the THW fights forest fires in Saxony and Thuringia with 300 emergency services and what challenges there are.
THW emergency services are fighting devastating forest fires in Saxony!
The forest fires in Saxony and Thuringia are currently causing great concern and require massive intervention by the Technical Relief Agency (THW). Loud City report Around 300 THW staff are on site to support the fire brigade in fighting the flames.
The situation is particularly challenging in Gohrischheide, where around 600 hectares of land are already in flames. A disaster alarm has even been sounded here, while emergency services have to prepare for the difficult conditions, as the region also includes areas contaminated with munitions. THW President Sabine Lackner emphasizes how important close cooperation between the fire department, police and Bundeswehr is in order to overcome this threat.
Variety of tasks
The tasks of the THW staff are diverse. They are not only responsible for water supply and fuel logistics, but also for aerial reconnaissance using modern drone technology. The maintenance of the materials and the food for the volunteers also play a central role in this major event.
The THW operates a central staging area in Zeithain, where up to 1,200 emergency services can be accommodated and supplied. In addition, the THW Suhl specialist groups are actively involved in technical assistance, particularly in the area of lighting the deployment sites using portable power generators.
European dimension of forest fires
The situation in Germany is not isolated. How Deutschlandfunk Reportedly, other European countries are also affected by wildfires, including France, Greece and Portugal, where firefighters from 14 different nations have been deployed to assist areas at risk. In this context, the need for international disaster relief is increasing, while over 1,500 people on the Greek island of Crete had to be brought to safety due to the fires.
However, the challenge for the Saxony and Thuringia region remains enormous. In western Turkey, residents from five districts had to be evacuated, underscoring the urgency and seriousness of the forest fire situation worldwide.
At this critical time, the strength of volunteerism in Germany is evident. With around 88,000 volunteers, the THW is not only involved domestically, but is also mobilized internationally in emergencies on behalf of the federal government. This solidarity is currently particularly clear when it comes to combating natural disasters and providing security to the population.