Harz fights against forest fires: second fire -fighting aircraft on the way!

Harz fights against forest fires: second fire -fighting aircraft on the way!

In the Harz district, a lot is currently happening in the air! Since 2023, the district has been using its own fire aircraft to combat forest fires. Like MDR Plant district fire chief Kai-Uwe Lohse, a second extinguishing aircraft for short-term missions apply for. The existing aircraft, which bears the name "Hexe1", enjoys increasing national interest, as District Administrator Thomas Balcerowski (CDU) emphasized.

The interest even leads to a one -year cooperation with the district of Göttingen in Lower Saxony, and another contract with the Thuringian district of Nordhausen is already being planned. The extinguishing aircraft can be activated not only in the resin circuit, but also beyond. To ensure that the rapid reloading is set up.

financing and operations

But what does such a flying extinguishing aid cost? The use of the fire -fighting aircraft also costs around 3,400 euros net per hour. District Administrator Balcerowski, however, has excluded permanent deployment of a second fire -fighting aircraft for financial reasons. His district took action in 2022 after a major fire on the Brocken caused a sensation, and commissioned a Polish company to provide the fire -fighting aircraft.

The contract with the provider "Mieleckie Zakłady Lotnicze" expires in March 2025. From April 1, 2025, the district administrator can hire a service provider for the operation of the small extinguishing aircraft. The annual costs for the future four-year contract amount to around 150,000 euros and include an extension option by one year.

climate change and forest fire protection

The need for such measures is becoming more and more urgent. As Kreis-harz.de have been presented in the Harz district for two years When combating forest fires from the air. In the past, specifically in the forest fire season 2023, the fire -fighting aircraft for six missions, including in Brandenburg, was active.

More and more forest fires can be observed in spring, which is strongly linked to the increasing temperatures and the associated climate changes. Experts warn that the soils are too dry-which favors the formation of fires, as Authorities Spiegel

The importance of extinguishing aircraft cannot be assessed high enough. They enable quick and unbureaucratic missions, which is a real advantage in times of increasing risk of forest fire. But while Lower Saxony relies on helicopter, the more flexible in terms of landing sites and water absorption, the Harz district with its droma PZL M18 B is still on the advance in air rescue.

What remains is the challenges and the commitment of the local authorities for effective fire protection. The district of Harz definitely does good business by investing in aviation to be well positioned in the fight against the forest fires.