Forest fire alarm in Brandenburg: Firefighters injured while extinguishing the fire!

Forest fire alarm in Brandenburg: Firefighters injured while extinguishing the fire!

Massive forest fires are currently raging in Brandenburg and Saxony, fueled by the tropical temperatures in recent days. The situation is particularly dramatic at the Gohrischheide military training area, where the fire has now spread to more than 600 hectares. According to the Berliner Kurier, there have already been explosive fire developments on this site, which previously served as a military training area, which could have been caused by old ammunition. More than 200 firefighters are working in the region to contain the flames.

The extreme temperatures have led to a truly hot phase in Germany, which reached its peak on Wednesday. In places like Andernach, where the temperature climbed to 39.3 degrees, bright minds were needed to organize the first relief measures. In the Harndt, residents say that fallen trees have not only blocked roads, but have also significantly affected rail traffic. Heavy rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday evening brought relief in some areas, but the risk of forest fires in Brandenburg's forests remains high, as ZDF also reports.

Critical situation in Heidehäuser

The town of Heidehäuser is particularly affected, where around 100 people, including 45 residents of a home for people with disabilities, had to leave their homes. The evacuation was orderly and those affected were asked to take only what they needed and to inform their neighbors. The initial firefighting measures were continued under high pressure during the night, but the situation at the military training area is still classified as critical.

The Interior Minister of Brandenburg, René Wilke, emphasized the explosive security situation, as the fire limits have now exceeded the state border into Brandenburg. However, there was also positive news in other parts of Brandenburg: twelve major fires were successfully extinguished.

Danger of forest fires in Germany

A look at the forest fire statistics from the Federal Environment Agency shows that a total of 1,059 forest fires were registered in Germany in 2023, which represents a decrease of half compared to previous years. Nevertheless, Brandenburg remains the hotspot for forest fires, with 251 reported cases and a burned area that was more than 765 hectares in 2023 alone. Factors such as higher temperatures and lower rainfall make the region particularly vulnerable to severe fires. The trend shows that the risk could continue to increase in the coming decades as the wildfire season increasingly extends into late summer and fall.

The responsibility for many of these fires lies in the hands of humans; a study shows that about 40% of fires were caused by negligence or arson. This makes it all the more important to make the population aware of the risks and the correct behavior in the forest.

With a rain front on the horizon in the coming hours, it is hoped that conditions will become easier for emergency services and the situation can soon be brought under control. It remains to be seen how the weather situation will develop and what measures will be taken to mitigate damage.