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Forest fires are raging in Brandenburg: Over 20 fires discovered at BER!
Brandenburg is struggling with multiple forest fires due to extreme dryness and heat. Current warnings and firefighting operations are required.
Forest fires are raging in Brandenburg: Over 20 fires discovered at BER!
The fire departments in Brandenburg are currently under high pressure: Last weekend, over 20 forest fires were registered, which were fueled by the extreme dryness and heat in the region. This situation is not new, as more than 150 forest fires have hit the state since March. All districts and independent cities are affected by the highest risk of forest fires RND reports.
A particularly dramatic fire broke out near Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) in the Waltersdorf district, where a grain field burst into flames. Although the cause of the fire initially remained unclear, the smoke was heavy enough to be visible from the airport terminal. Fortunately, flight operations remained unaffected thanks to the support of the airport fire department, which immediately began extinguishing the fire. The affected area covered a total of 6,000 square meters, and the adjacent forest areas were also in danger.
Chronicle of Desolation
A forest fire covering an area of 1.7 hectares was registered in the Ostprignitz-Ruppin region, which was probably caused by arson. Over 100 firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish the fire, while high temperatures made the job even more difficult. Residents in Lindow, Neuruppin and the districts of Wulkow and Alt Ruppin were warned about smoke and fire gases, but there was no acute health risk.
On Sunday, temperatures of almost 34 degrees were measured in Brandenburg, and despite forecasts for thunderstorms and heavy rain, there is still no all-clear for the risk of forest fires. What is particularly worrying is that the local fire departments in Brandenburg, known as “Little California,” have already had to contend with devastating fires in recent years. In 2023, around 770 hectares of forest were destroyed by fire and in 2024 around 220 hectares of forest were destroyed ZDF.
How Brandenburg fights
In view of the acute risk of forest fires, the state government has now launched the first forest fire competence center in Germany. This center aims to develop innovative strategies to fight vegetation fires, while firefighters receive regular training to be optimally prepared for such emergencies. “Having a good hand” is what it means here when it comes to improving your understanding of the vegetation and meteorological conditions in order to make strategic decisions.
The risk of forest fires in Brandenburg is due to a combination of highly flammable pine forests, sandy soils and low rainfall. These are not just regional peculiarities, but a problem that could become even worse as climate change progresses. Loud Federal Environment Agency shows that weather has often influenced the spread of fires in the past and that danger levels are increasing.
A variety of new projects, including reforestation measures with deciduous trees, are intended to make forests more resilient. However, farmers and environmentalists are under pressure as the ongoing drought threatens not only forests but also crops. Concerned attention is being paid to the coming summer period as small fires have already occurred and weather conditions remain critical.
The challenges in forest fire prevention and control are increasing. The coming months will show how conditions develop; What is certain is that Brandenburg and its fire departments must continue to be on guard.