Waldbrand deleted in Gohrischheide - area remains closed until August

Waldbrand deleted in Gohrischheide - area remains closed until August

In the past two weeks, a large -scale forest fire in Gohrischheide, a natural area on the border between Saxony and Brandenburg, has dealt with the region. Now there is finally an all -clear: The Zeithain fire brigade reported on Wednesday morning that the fire is deleted. This reports MDR. The areas, some of which were badly damaged, were officially handed over to Sachsenforst, and the fire brigade has completed its work.

The fire broke out on July 1 and quickly reached around. With a total of around 2,400 hectares that were affected, it is the largest forest fire in Saxony for more than 30 years. This area corresponds to more than three quarters of the entire Gohrischheide nature reserve, which includes a total of around 2,800 hectares. The District Administrator Ralf Hänsel (CDU) expressed that the operations could continue for a few more days or even weeks because the terrain must continue to be checked.

sustainable consequences for nature

The effects of this fire should not be underestimated. The burned -out area has exceeded the annual average in Germany and will affect nature in the long term. It is known that forest fires influence the stability and vitality of forest ecosystems. In contrast, younger and light coniferous forests are particularly affected, which are considered susceptible to fire. According to the figures of the Federal Environment Agency, the situation in Germany is generally conservative: in 2023 there were significantly fewer fires than in the previous year, but the average burning area is above the long-term average.

Another problem is the legal situation: by a general decree by the district of Meißen, the area remains closed until at least August 12th. This decision is mainly related to the stress of the soil by ammunition found in the region. A ban on entering is therefore essential and is intended to ensure the safety of the population. The blocked area still requires the attention of the foresters who remain on site to monitor the situation.

increased risk of forest fire in the future

The risk of forest fires will be assessed as high in the coming years. Negative carrying increasing temperatures and a decline in precipitation. The forest fire in Germany has already shown regionally different patterns, with increased fire cases in northeast Germany as well as in the east and on the Upper Rhine. The forecasts suggest that the conversion of needle tree monocultures into more stable mixed forests could be a valuable measure to minimize the risk of forest fires.

With the end of the fire in the Gohrischheide, however, the challenges are not over. The region has to adapt to sustainable management, which not only includes the restoration of nature, but also the protection against future forest fires. The events show once again how important it is that we are responsible for dealing with our forests and protecting them.