Waldbrand in Raguhn-Jeßnitz: Fire brigade fights against embers!

Waldbrand in Raguhn-Jeßnitz: Fire brigade fights against embers!

In the night from Wednesday to Thursday there was a forest fire in the district of Raguhn-Jeßnitz, in the Anhalt-Bitterfeld district. According to the [Stern] (https://www.stern.de/sgesellschaft/regional/sachsen-anhalt/waldbraende --waldbrand-be-buhn-jessnitz-35862092.html), the fire is now under control. Around 100 firefighters were on duty to combat the flames that recorded an area of ​​about six hectares in a pine forest.

The cause of the fire is currently still unclear, and while the emergency services are still on site, it is expected that the reversal work will last over the entire Thursday. Although no more open flames are no longer visible, the risk of rebuilding can not be excluded. However, a slight rain at night could have a slight relief, as the Webjosh reports.

The challenges for the fire brigade

The fire brigade is under considerable pressure, since the frequency of forest fires in Germany has increased in recent years. This is often due to longer dry and heat periods that are favored by climate change. Statistics show that in 2023 over 1,200 hectares were destroyed by forest fires, while the previous year's value with over 3,000 hectares was even the highest value of the past 30 years, as was read on Statista

forest fires are not only a danger to nature and the environment, they also lead to a decline in habitats for numerous living things. They are particularly dangerous due to their high propagation speed. In this context, it can be observed that a large number of fires in Germany are triggered by human failure, such as arson or negligence. In 2023, only 27 forest fires were due to natural causes, while around half of the causes of fire remains unknown.

A look at Germany and the world

The forest fire problem is not only limited to Germany. Many regions worldwide suffer from this, for example the Amazon area and California, where 2020 was recorded one of the most devastating years with regard to the relevant areas by forest fires. In the first half of 2023, almost 37,000 fires were documented in the Brazilian rainforest. Climate change is dangerous to the forest, which does not make the situation better in Germany.

The fire brigade notices that there is "no breathing space", as the situation in Raguhn-Jeßnitz shows. With the ongoing risks and uncertainty regarding the causes of fire, the challenge for the emergency services will remain great. Where the fire rages, the focus is clearly on security and fast action.