Feuerinferno in Gohrischheide: Fire brigade fights around the clock!

Feuerinferno in Gohrischheide: Fire brigade fights around the clock!

Gohrischheide, Deutschland - The last few days were certainly not easy for the emergency services in the Gohrischheide. The devastating forest fire, which broke out on July 1, 2025, brought numerous challenges. Dirk Zenker, the city defense director of Großenhain, is at the forefront with his 250 comrades in seven local weirs and has been in use around the clock since the start of the fire. The firefighters fight the flames in 12-hour shifts, while the exact number of hours worked is currently being recorded. Zenker, who has been working in the fire brigade since 1989 and was appointed city defense director in 2018, emphasizes that the greatest challenge was not the technology used, but the missing staff, since many firefighters are employed. They are supported by volunteers and farmers who are available with food and other help Sächsische.de .

But the situation is not just an organizational challenge. On Tuesday, July 1st, the fire broke out in a large area, which is characterized by numerous herds of fire, which made coordinated fire fighting inevitable. Zenker expresses that despite the dangers by possibly hidden ammunition, no fear was felt, but responsibility for the comrades is enormous. This is also evident in the words of District Administrator Ralf Hänsel, who recently announced that the disaster alarm in Meißen was lifted at 3 p.m. Fortunately, there were no human sacrifices, but three injured firefighters. The disaster was proclaimed on Thursday, two days after the fire, a clear sign of the seriousness of the situation, which the municipalities Zeithain, Wülknitz and the city of Gröditz also achieved with warnings from the Warn app Nina href = "https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/sachsen/grossenhain-riesa/gohrohrischheide-brand-waldbrand-aktuell-ticker-104.html"> explains mdr .

consequences of the forest fire

The important dimensions of the forest fire are terrifying: over 2,400 hectares, including 86 percent of the vegetation in the nature reserve, have been destroyed. To combat the embers, 400 emergency services show great commitment, especially near the Bundeswehr camp in Zeithain and in the towns of Jacobsthal, Heidehäuser and Nieska. Experts of the Saxon State Environment Agency will also be on site to discuss the effects of the fire and the future of the contaminated area with old ammunition MDR .

global warming also has increasing influence on Germany: forest fires increase through more dry and heat periods, which is a serious threat to people and nature. In 2022, Germany has lost over 3,000 hectares, which is the highest value in the past 30 years. Even if the number of forest fires in 2023 was reduced, the challenges are still enormous. The causes are often human in nature - be it due to arson or gross negligence. Zenker therefore appeals to the population to act responsibly to prevent future disasters

Currently, the persistent danger from the embers and possible new formations of fires remains an issue that affects not only the firefighters, but the entire region. The awareness of the risks is still being sharpened, because as Zenker really holds, "most of the fires are in human responsibility".