Help from Kronach: 92 firefighters are fighting the danger of forest fires in Thuringia

Help from Kronach: 92 firefighters are fighting the danger of forest fires in Thuringia

Over 90 firefighters from the Kronach district gathered in Ludwigsstadt on Thursday evening to help fight a large-scale forest fire in Thuringia. The request came after the government of Upper Franconia declared a disaster in the Saalfeld-Rudolstadt region. District Administrator Klaus Löffler and District Fire Officer Frank Fischer were on site during the deployment and accompanied the emergency services on their way to the operational area.

A total of 92 firefighters with 15 vehicles set out into the region threatened by the flames. On Friday morning, after an initial evaluation of the situation, additional help was requested. Shortly afterwards, three more trains with firefighters and THW staff set off, equipped with two water tanks that each hold 8,000 liters. These operations are crucial to support the water supply and firefighting work on site, as the fire is not yet under control, but rapid operations have prevented its spread so far. These dramatic developments confirm that the operational situation is considered one of the largest and most demanding in recent decades, as Bayreuther Tagblatt reports.

Local challenges

Firefighters are not only confronted with flames, but also with extreme weather conditions, embers and impassable terrain. The strong wind makes firefighting work even more difficult. The Bayreuth fire department has integrated four fire engines into the operational structure to work together to fight the fire. The tasks include extinguishing embers, operating tank fire engines and setting up a hose route as well as using the innovative “Wolf R1” fire-fighting robot.

In addition, the Bayreuth flight helper group, which was originally planned for exercises, is now actively supporting the fight against the flames. The BRK Hollfeld comes to the aid of the emergency services with warm meals and drinks. The dynamic situation in Saalfeld requires quick help and the Upper Franconian forces not only bring human resources, but also special forest fire equipment. The operation is initially planned until Sunday and there will be close communication between the units involved.

Forest fire dangers in Thuringia

The forest fire risk in Thuringia has been officially monitored since March 1st, a season that lasts until the end of October. The daily determination of dangers is based on highly developed forecasting methods and is categorized into five danger levels. ThüringenForst works closely with the German Weather Service to best assess the risks. Climate change plays a significant role here, as heat and drought increase the risk of forest fires. Again ThuringiaForst explained, many of these fires are man-made, often due to careless behavior by forest visitors, which has harmful consequences.

The increasing use of forests by visitors leads to an increasing risk of fire events, which is why education about the causes of forest fires and rules of behavior is essential. Prevention measures and investments in forest firefighting technology have also been increased. Among other things, new firefighting units are now available that are equipped with the latest extinguishing technology.

In this critical situation, the commitment and speed of the emergency services from the Kronach and Bayreuth districts is of the utmost importance. Their tireless efforts not only protect the surrounding forests, but also the well-being of the residents in the Saalfeld-Rudolstadt region.