Lower Saxony relies on helicopters: more effective against forest fires!

Lower Saxony relies on helicopters: more effective against forest fires!

Harz, Deutschland - In Lower Saxony, the strategy for fighting forest fire has changed significantly in recent years. A particularly innovative step, which has recently been announced, is the increased use of helicopters instead of conventional extinguishing aircraft. This decision is not only a question of efficiency, but also adaptation to changed framework conditions, such as the [Süddeutsche] (https://www.sueddeutsche.de/panorama/waldbrandbekapfung-loesch-helis-statt-limen-land-Seekt-sett-da.urn-newsml-dpa-com-2507111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111,

In 2023, two fire -fighting aircraft were stationed in Braunschweig. However, these were only used once in Saxony-Anhalt, which strongly questions the user power of these machines. One reason for the departure from the aircraft is that the federal government withdrew the co -financing, which means that Lower Saxony can no longer rely on the support of this technology. Minister Daniela Behrens emphasizes that the investments in the helicopter are more efficient and valuable for the region.

helicopter: flexible and powerful

The new strategy of fire fighting relies on helicopters that are considered more flexible and faster. Both material and staff are available for helicopters at four locations in Lower Saxony. Lower Saxony sees itself well equipped with the two helicopters of the state police and the option to use civilian machines. During a forest fire in Goslar, this helicopter demonstrated its strength: they were able to throw four times as much water as a fire aircraft. Thanks to this efficiency, the Ministry of the Interior is also planning regular training for air fire fighting in order to optimally prepare the emergency services.

Not only in the air is upgraded. Lower Saxony invests vigorously in specialized fire-fighting equipment. A total of 2.4 million euros flowed into the new equipment for vegetation fire fighting. In addition to helicopters, modern forest fire vehicles are also part of the strategy that can be used in difficult terrains. Fire Brigade UB lists a variety of specialized vehicles, such as classic forest fire vehicles, extinguishing gaps and self-driving extinguishing tanks.

criticism and support

Despite these positive developments, there are also critical voices, especially from the Harz, where the risk of forest fire increases due to the climate crisis. Firefighters are concerned about the decision to no longer need the fire -fighting aircraft. They emphasize that the challenges in the forests of the Harz are required to have extensive equipment, which could also include aircraft. Nevertheless, the general trend is remarkable: the increased use of helicopters and special forest fire vehicles could significantly increase the effectiveness of the operations.

Overall, it turns out that Lower Saxony is on the right track to combat the risk of forest fire through innovative approaches and modernizations. Even if the extinguishing aircraft are now history, the motto remains unbroken to find new ways to do justice to the challenges that nature faces us.

Süddeutsche | | fire brigade UB