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Forest fire in Raguhn-Jeßnitz: Fire brigade fights against embers!
In the Anhalt-Bitterfeld district, firefighters are fighting a controlled forest fire in Raguhn-Jeßnitz. Re-extinguishing work is ongoing.
Forest fire in Raguhn-Jeßnitz: Fire brigade fights against embers!
On the night of Wednesday to Thursday there was a forest fire in the Marke district of Raguhn-Jeßnitz, in the Anhalt-Bitterfeld district. According to Stern, the fire is now under control. Around 100 firefighters were deployed to fight the flames, which covered an area of around six hectares in a pine forest.
The cause of the fire is currently unclear and while emergency services remain on site, extinguishing efforts are expected to continue throughout Thursday. Although open flames are no longer visible, the risk of a flare-up cannot be ruled out. However, a light rain during the night could have given the emergency services some relief, as Webjosh reports.
The challenges for the fire department
The fire department is under considerable pressure as the frequency of forest fires in Germany has increased in recent years. This is often due to longer dry and hot periods, which are favored by climate change. Statistics show that over 1,200 hectares were destroyed by forest fires in Germany in 2023, while the previous year's value of over 3,000 hectares was even the highest value in the last 30 years, as can be read on Statista.
Forest fires are not only a danger to nature and the environment, they also lead to a loss of habitat for numerous living beings. They are particularly dangerous due to their high speed of spread. In this context, it can be observed that a large number of fires in Germany are caused by human error, such as arson or negligence. In 2023, only 27 forest fires were due to natural causes, while around half of the causes of fires remain unknown.
A look at Germany and the world
The forest fire problem is not just limited to Germany. Many regions around the world are suffering from this, for example the Amazon region and California, where 2020 was one of the most devastating years in terms of the area affected by forest fires. In the first half of 2023, almost 37,000 fires were documented in the Brazilian rainforest. Climate change is causing dangerous damage to the forest, which is not making the situation in Germany any better.
The fire department realizes that there is “no breathing space,” as the situation in Raguhn-Jeßnitz shows. With the ongoing risks and uncertainty surrounding the causes of the fire, the challenge for emergency responders will likely remain significant. Where the fire is raging, the focus is clearly on safety and quick action.