Waldbrand in Gohrischheide: hundreds of emergency services in the constant fire!

Waldbrand in Gohrischheide: hundreds of emergency services in the constant fire!

in the Gohrischheide in the district of Meißen there has been a light -loved one since Tuesday. Not only nature lovers, but also the residents put on alert in several towns. As mdr has now expanded to an estimated 1,300 hectar identified. The challenges for the emergency services are immense.

Above all, the weather conditions contribute to the tense situation. High temperatures and refreshing wind do not make it easier for the approximately 700 firefighters and other auxiliary people who are currently in use. The old ammunition in the ground, remaining from the time, when the Gohrischheide was used as a military training area of the Soviet Army, also complicates the extinguishing work, such as Welt reported.

evacuations and security measures

Some localities have already been evacuated, including Jacobsthal train station and Heidehäuser. According to the district office in Meißen, the evacuation remains in these areas, since the risk of flames is still high. Special protective strips have already been built here to ensure that the affected areas are also protected from the flames.

In order to better support the emergency services, waterfill stations have been set up, and extinguishing helicopters from the federal police have already brought 63,000 liters of water to the fire area. In addition, the police officers and water cannons are used in the contested areas to prevent attacks on the local area.

demands for better preparation

In the middle of this difficult situation, residents express criticism of the late reaction and the poor communication of the authorities. The fire brigade association has denounced the insufficient equipment for forest fires in Saxony. A massive increase in vegetation fires, as it can be observed in recent years, brings increased risks for the emergency services, as the DGUV explains. Problems such as accident risk and exposure to carcinogenic substances are increasingly becoming a challenge.

In order to be able to better counter climate change and the more frequent extreme weather events, projects are urgently needed to improve the safety and equipment of the firefighters. For example, a research project has already documented the increase in non -recognized fire smoke and such chemicals, which is of great importance for everyone involved.

While the fire brigades and aid organizations continue to work under high pressure, the region is now waiting for the announced rains on Monday and Tuesday, which will hopefully contribute to the containment of the fire. The location remains tense and continues to be observed closely.

The effects of this severe fire will probably have a long time. It remains to be hoped that the regional authorities and organizations will learn from this crisis and will be better prepared in the future in order to effectively counter the challenges of climate change and the associated risks.