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Forest fire alert! The smell of burning could be felt as far away as Berlin!
Strong smell of forest fire from Saxony reaches Teltow-Fläming. Disaster alert in several communities, safety measures recommended.
Forest fire alert! The smell of burning could be felt as far away as Berlin!
A huge forest fire is raging in Saxony, which has been causing excitement in the Gohrischheide since July 1st. With a burn area of over 1,000 hectares, the fire inferno not only kept the local fire departments on tenterhooks, but also triggered a disaster alarm in several communities near Meißen. Over 480 firefighters are on constant duty to fight the fire, with the terrain being particularly difficult to navigate as suspected ammunition from former military exercises makes extinguishing operations difficult. The communities of Zeithain, Wülknitz and the city of Gröditz are particularly affected, where the alarm was activated to inform the population about the risk of smoke and odor nuisance and to urge caution. T-Online reports that the warning app Nina in Brandenburg also informed both of them about it.
What is particularly noticeable is that the strong smell of burning was carried all the way to the capital Berlin, specifically to Steglitz-Zehlendorf. Air quality has been severely affected and residents in neighboring areas have been asked to keep windows and doors closed and to turn off ventilation and air conditioning. This was initiated by the Federal Office for Civil Protection in order to protect the population from smoke and odor nuisance. Berliner Kurier reports that the wind direction pushed the smell from Saxony to Brandenburg and Berlin.
Impact and local measures
The situation remains tense; The emergency services are well prepared for a possible spread of the fire in Brandenburg. The role of the local authorities and the Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer, who would like to personally assess the situation in Zeithain, is crucial here. The situation is being monitored closely in the region, especially as the risk of forest fires becomes more serious due to climatic conditions. The Federal Environment Agency provides information that a total of 1,059 forest fires were registered in Germany in 2023, which represents a decrease compared to 2022, but cannot be ignored in view of long-term climate changes.
Forest fires in Saxony and Brandenburg have already had devastating effects in the past, and this year too the forest areas, especially those in Brandenburg, appear to be at great risk. Forest fire season is no longer limited to the summer months; Risk forecasts show an increasing risk for the coming decades, mainly due to high temperatures and low rainfall. This makes it clear that the situation is serious and preventive measures are essential.
So stay alert and pay attention to current warnings in your area! The issue of wildfires will affect us all, and it is important to take the right steps to protect the environment and our health.