Danger of forest fires in Brandenburg: Fire brigade fights the flames!

Danger of forest fires in Brandenburg: Fire brigade fights the flames!

In Brandenburg, a forest fire south of Treuenbrietzen and Frohnsdorf is causing alarm. Firefighters are battling the flames on site and trying to keep embers under control. The fire is currently affecting an area of ​​around 12 to 13 hectares. A total of around 200 firefighters are on duty to contain the danger. What is concerning are the high temperatures forecast for Wednesday. They could reactivate the embers and make the situation worse. Also alarming are the two injured firefighters who surrendered while extinguishing the fire. The operation is made even more difficult because the area may be contaminated with explosive ordnance. To ensure the safety of the population, a helicopter has already been requested to provide support and an official hazard warning has been distributed warning of thick smoke. reports rbb24.

But it's not just in Treuenbrietzen that it's dangerous. Several fire pits also became active in other parts of Brandenburg. A major fire was reported in Sonnewalde, where the Kleinbahren district was evacuated. 82 people had to be brought to safety there. The danger is above average, particularly due to the ongoing drought, which forest fire protection officer Raimund Engel cites as the main factor. The Elbe-Elster district currently has a burned area of ​​around 15 hectares, while the fire pockets in Treuenbrietzen are classified as “suspect of explosive weapons”, as n-tv reports.

Additional challenges due to the weather

The weather situation is not exactly favorable for the fire departments. Although the wind conditions were better yesterday than before, the high temperatures are putting a strain on the emergency services. There is no rain in sight in the coming days, which could further increase the risk of forest fires in large parts of Brandenburg. The forest fire protection officer warns that an increase in fires is expected in the next few days due to the high risk of forest fires, which has already been classified as “high to very high” in the region. The Federal Environment Agency In this context, it has been determined that Brandenburg has the greatest risk of forest fires in Germany. The combination of pine forests, low rainfall and light sandy soils favors the sea of ​​flames.

If we look at previous years, in 2018 there were more than 400 hectares that were on fire in Brandenburg. In 2022 it was still around 200 hectares. The record numbers highlight the ongoing threat and the need to take effective preventive measures.

The long-term effects of wildfires

Forest fires pose a serious threat to the stability and vitality of forest ecosystems. Not only can they cause massive damage to trees, but they can also increase emissions of harmful substances that endanger the health of the population. Fine dust and greenhouse gases in particular are the unwanted companions of every fire. A review of the 2023 wildfire season shows that approximately 1,240 hectares of forest were affected, underscoring the importance of a solid fire prevention strategy.

In order to minimize the risks in the long term, it is recommended to switch from conifer monoculture to mixed forests with a high proportion of hardwood. This could help prevent forest fire risks and protect the ecological niches in the forest that fires can create.