Waldbrand in Gohrischheide: barracks under protection, evacuations run

Waldbrand in Gohrischheide: barracks under protection, evacuations run

A huge forest fire is currently raging in Gohrischheide, Saxony, and presents the emergency services with immense challenges. Hundreds of helpers, including firefighters and members of the technical aid organization, fight the flames that move threatingly towards a Bundeswehr barracks. The district office in Meißen notes that the emergency services work well coordinated to stop the fire. According to n-tv have been active since Friday afternoon and a Bundeswehr helicopter is also said to support.

The fire broke out near the municipalities of Zeithain and Wülknitz on Tuesday and has now expanded over an area of ​​up to 2,100 hectares, as District Administrator Hänsel reports. The situation is critical because both the barracks and a depot must currently be secured. Firefighters stayed near the site for the first time and the extinguishing water supply is also ensured so that there is no bottleneck. In Nieska, additional withdrawal points have been set up to support the fire brigade.

live in danger

The evacuation of the residents in Jacobsthal train station remains until Sunday evening to ensure the safety of the residents. Around 45 residents are allowed to return under police protection to bring necessary things out of their houses. A total of 20 houses in the region were evacuated, while the situation in Neudorf is more relaxed, where the evacuation measures have already been lifted.

The assignment between Lichtenensee and Neudorf brings success, but there are still a few embers that keep an eye on the fire brigade. Combating the fire is also difficult because ammunitional loads make deletion difficult in the ground. The fire broke out in the nature reserve, which makes the situation more explosive and has also spread to Brandenburg in some places. Expired heat and dry periods, favored by climate change, contribute to the increasing number of forest fires in Germany, and the current situation in Saxony is not an isolated case. According to Statista , in Germany over 3,000 hectares were destroyed by fires.

The upcoming challenges

With about 2,800 hectares of total area in Gohrischheide, it is crucial to maintain the stop positions on housing estates and the barracks in order to prevent further damage. However, according to the emergency services, a fire that was reported on Saturday evening on a railway line is manageable, which is a ray of hope in the tense situation. District Administrator Hänsel emphasized that the emergency services do everything possible to get the situation under control and to ensure the safety of the population.

The coming days will be crucial for whether the flames can be fully contained or whether the fire will get out of hand again. With the tireless use of the helpers and a wide protective strip around the barracks, there is hope that relaxation will soon return in Gohrischheide. mdr continues to report on the current state of developments in the region.