Great fire in Gohrischheide: Oschatz fire brigade is fighting for control!

Great fire in Gohrischheide: Oschatz fire brigade is fighting for control!

in the picturesque Gohrischheide, about 30 kilometers from Oschatz, has developed a worrying situation. A large forest fire has already reached disaster status and is very concerned about the fire brigade. The dense clouds of smoke are visible from Oschatz and show the dimensions of the fire, which currently threatens around 600 hectares of forest. According to LVZ Oschatz, Lars Natzke, considered support, but the official "Go" from the district is still pending.

The region, which was previously known as a wolf area, has to struggle not only with the fire in the past few days, but also with strong smoke. While the fire brigade has already recorded 14 missions this week, around 500 emergency services are currently fighting tirelessly against the flames. The forces from the district of Saxon Switzerland/Osterzgebirge used to support are on alert, and a super puma of the federal police is used to help out of the air, reports BlueLicht-Magazin .

alert and possible dangers

The fire that broke out on Tuesday has so far expanded over 150 hectares. The emergency services have brought the fire under control for the time being, but there is concern that it could flare up again due to the dry weather and the expected wind conditions. Even if rain and smoke bring a small mental relief for the firefighters, the situation remains tense.

The Oschatz fire brigade can look back on experiences from a major fire in Arzberg, Eastelbia, in 2022. However, the alarm must continue to be carried out by the district of North Saxony. The fire brigade currently runs three to five missions per day and remains in constant willingness for possible operations in the neighboring district.

The growing threat from forest fires

In recent years, the situation regarding forest fires in Germany has changed dramatically. According to Statista , forest fires are increasingly a serious problem, and the destroyed area has reached the highest value in the past 30 years with over 3,000 hectares. In 2023 it was fewer, but the more than 1,200 hectares that were destroyed by fires testify to the continuous threat from dryness and fire.

forest fires can not only cause significant space losses, but also have negative effects on the environment and health. The growing temperatures and dry periods as a result of climate change contribute to the spread of fires. In international comparison, countries such as Brazil and the United States are particularly affected, with dramatic numbers of fires that have been recorded in recent years.

The situation in the Gohrischheide remains critical, and the emergency services work tirelessly to contain the threatening flames. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what support is received from the surrounding counties.