Chaos in West Mecklenburg: Straw bale fires cause high damage!

Chaos in West Mecklenburg: Straw bale fires cause high damage!

In recent days there have been numerous fire incidents in the Langen Brütz region, Ludwigslust-Parchim district, where a former cowshed has been on fire since Tuesday afternoon. Loud NDR Around 400 old bales of straw are stored in the building. Hundreds of firefighters from surrounding towns such as Leezen, Cambs and Neu Schlagsdorf are on constant duty. Extinguishing the fire is complicated because the bales of straw have to be pulled out of the building one by one and then extinguished.

The exact amount of damage and the cause of the fire are still unclear, but the immense commitment of the fire department and the necessary safety measures, such as the power shutdown by WEMAG to ensure the safety of the emergency services, could indicate a significant financial loss. Initial estimates indicate damage amounting to several hundred thousand euros, as well NDR reported.

More fire incidents

In addition to the fire in Langen Brütz, there was another incident that affected a straw baler on arable land in Blievensdorf. Fortunately, this fire, caused by a technical defect, did not result in any injuries. A third incident occurred on a street in Wittenburg, where bales of hay caught fire while being driven on a trailer. The tractor driver noticed the fire in time and was able to get to safety. The extinguishing work was completed around 8:30 p.m.

The risk of fire does not appear to be new in the region. A fire in Menzlin that occurred in August 2024 affected approximately 700 burning bales of straw and required firefighters to be deployed throughout the day. Residents here were asked to keep windows and doors closed to avoid smoke damage. The first estimates of the economic damage were around 30,000 euros. The news point out that such events are often caused by technical defects or improper storage.

The challenges for agriculture

The frequency and severity of agricultural fires could have long-term effects on crops and therefore on the economy of the affected farms. Climatic changes as well as increasing temperature increases and changing precipitation patterns could further increase the risk of fire. The need for effective fire prevention systems and regular inspections to prevent future damage is becoming increasingly urgent. In Germany, around 300 fires are registered on farms every year, with average damage of several million euros per year, as shown Agriculture Today documented.

The lack of survey and documentation of agricultural fires is another problem. Federal states do not keep computer statistics on damage cases and fire causes, which makes it difficult to get a clear picture of fire events and their consequences. Experts therefore recommend more transparency and better safety requirements for agricultural businesses.