Forest fire in the Harz: entry ban remains despite progress!

Forest fire in the Harz: entry ban remains despite progress!

There has been a fire in the Harz above the Grane Dam since Sunday, June 24, 2025. Firefighters are constantly on duty to bring this large-scale forest fire under control. The spread of the fire was already noticeable at the start of the operation due to high temperatures and strong winds. Over 320 firefighters and numerous helpers are active until Tuesday, June 26th and have now stabilized the situation, but the flames have not yet been completely extinguished NDR reported.

The operation was particularly challenging because onlookers hindered the extinguishing work by blocking paths and following fire engines. In order to protect the emergency services and avoid danger, the fire area between Granetalsperre and Goslar remains largely closed. City Fire Chief Christian Hellmeier points out that the last embers could have gone out by the weekend. These ember nests are sometimes up to 50 cm deep in the ground.

Weather conditions and technology in use

The changing weather conditions play a crucial role in the fight against the flames. While strong winds made extinguishing work difficult, increased humidity of over 50% on Tuesday made it easier to fight the fire. What should also be noted, however, is that the use of firefighting aircraft was often restricted due to the wind conditions. On Monday, the fire-fighting aircraft “Hexe 1” could not be used for a time, which made the fire-fighting work even more difficult, reports City of Goslar.

In order to monitor the situation, a drone with a thermal imaging camera is used to locate and specifically extinguish all embers. In addition to the trained forces, the fire brigade is also supported by specialized GFFF-V units, which primarily specialize in forest fires. Despite the difficult circumstances, the participation of all forces, such as the fire brigade, mountain rescue service and THW, is unbroken and the operation has so far gone without any accidents.

Climatic changes and forest fires

Forest fires are not only a growing problem in Germany. According to statistics, they are increasingly caused by dry summers and longer heat periods as a result of climate change. How Statista explains, over 1,200 hectares of forest have already been lost to fires in Germany in 2023, with Lower Saxony and Brandenburg as hotspots.
Most forest fires are often caused by arson or negligent behavior, while only a small number can be attributed to natural causes. With over 3,000 hectares of destruction in 2022, the situation was alarming and highlighted the dangers associated with an increasingly dry landscape.

In summary, it can be said: The fire department and all supporters are doing a great job to protect nature and the affected area. The public is urged to avoid affected areas to ensure everyone's safety. Efforts to completely extinguish the flames continue - for a safe return to normality in the Harz.