Waldbrand in Gohrischheide: Fire brigade fights against flames and ammunition!

Waldbrand in Gohrischheide: Fire brigade fights against flames and ammunition!

in the Gohrischheide, a forest area on the border between Saxony and Brandenburg, the flame hits high waves. Since early Friday morning, July 4, the fire brigades from Geringswalde, Penig and Rochlitz have been in constant use against the blazing flames, which have already affected large parts of the forest. The emergency services report on an exhausting fight against the fire, which is favored by the continuing drought and heat. 22 firefighters were alerted around 4.30 a.m. to face the fire, which already provided considerable challenges, such as [Freepresse.de] (https://www.freiepresse.de/mittelsachsen/Rochlitz/brand-in-gohrischheide-feuerweide-aus-der-Rochlitzer-Region-Von-kraefte- Deployment-Article13876437) reported.

the Situation escalated, when old ammunition detonated in the forest. As a result, the Bundeswehr emergency services were also sent to Gohrischheide on Sunday morning to secure a barracks and a depot. The fire quickly moved from the northern and northwestern direction to the military facilities, which threatened a potential threat to the barracks. At that time, the barracks were still to be safe through a wide protective strip, but the alarm bells rang when the evacuation in Jacobsthal train station was maintained by Sunday evening how mdr.de reported.

evacuations and measures

in Jacobsthal, a total of 20 houses were evacuated to protect the residents from the impending danger. Around 45 residents were allowed to return to their houses under police protection to get important things. In the Lichtenensee/Neudorf section, where there were still a few embers, it was decided to dissolve the team. Nevertheless, the situation remains tense, especially after a fire overload reported on Saturday evening was classified as manageable. District Administrator Hänsel confirmed that there were no difficulties with the supply of extinguishing water; In the Nieska area, replacement removal points for extinguishing water were set up to provide the emergency services the necessary resources.

The area of the affected area in Gohrischheide is terrifyingly large. Allegedly, 2,100 of a total of 2,800 hectares have already burned down, which underlines the vulnerability of the region. The focus of the measures is clearly on the protection of the surrounding housing estates and the barracks.

forest fires and climate change

These dramatic events are only part of a major problem. Forest fires in Germany have increased in recent years. In 2023, over 1,200 hectares were destroyed by fire, but in 2022 it was even over 3,000 hectares, which has marked the highest value in the past 30 years. The main causes of the development of forest fires are often in arson and negligence, while around half of the fires had unknown causes. The rising temperatures and dryness -related weather conditions, favored by climate change, cause the spread of spreading to increasing fires rapidly. This also has an impact on the habitats and the environment, since the fire not only causes space losses, but also financial damage and health risks due to fine dust released, so Statista.de.

The dramatic events of the past few days in Gohrischheide clearly show that we have to face the challenges of climate change. Only through joint action can we prevent such scenarios from becoming a new normality.