Pulsnitz fire brigade fights for forest fires in Croatia - a premiere!

Pulsnitz fire brigade fights for forest fires in Croatia - a premiere!

Labin, Kroatien - The challenges of forest fires should not be underestimated in Europe either. A group of ten firefighters from the Pulsnitz volunteer fire brigade is currently preparing for an abroad in Croatia, a country that suffers greatly from the effects of surface fires. As mdr.de is part of comprehensive training that is increasing Climate change reacts. The site is Labin, a city in the east of the Istria peninsula, where the emergency services will complete various training courses and operations.

The situation in Croatia is alarming. Recently there were devastating fires on the Adriatic coast near Split, which destroyed hundreds of hectares of land and even led to tourists to be evacuated. Strong wind has always worked out the fire, which makes the extinguishing work considerably more difficult, as Zeit.de . Firefighters fight the flames that raged in several coastal places, while the police also examined arson as a possible cause.

preparations and investments

To prepare for the operation, the members of the Pulsnitz fire brigade also completed intensive training. This includes special first aid exercises and vegetation fire training. They also took part in a joint boat training with the Boxberg fire brigade. Their commitment was supported by an online donation campaign that has brought around around 2000 euros so far-an important sum for the procurement of personal protective equipment and extinguishing bags.

Rico Löb from the Pulsnitz volunteer fire brigade emphasizes the physical challenges that you expect in Croatia. "The climate here is demanding, and the conditions are constantly changing due to climate change," says Löb. The first part of the troop will break on July 25, followed by a second group on August 3. This is the first mission abroad for the volunteer firefighters from Pulsnitz.

Current situation in Europe

forest fires are not only a problem in Croatia. In Greece, too, the fire brigade is in constant fight against the flames, most recently on the island of Chios, where arson is also suspected. The signs are alarming: forest fires are reinforced by the increasing dry and heat periods, which is not unnoticed in Germany either. In 2023, for example, over 1,200 hectares were already devastated by fires in Germany, which is less than in the previous year, but it shows that we also have to adjust to more forest fires in this country, because Statista.com documented that many fires are triggered by human failure and arson.