Waldbrand in Thuringia: Hope for rain after difficult use

Waldbrand in Thuringia: Hope for rain after difficult use

The situation in the forest fire on the Saalfeld heights has relaxed, but the situation remains tense. On July 6, 2025, a spokesman for the Saalfeld-Rudolstadt district office made an optimistic assessment: "The location is stable, easy all-clear." Nevertheless, the emergency services are still required because individual spot fire must be fought quickly. The current forest fire in the Gohrischheide has already destroyed 2,100 hectares of forest and has been the largest in Thuringia for at least 33 years, such as TAG24.de reported.

On Friday, July 5, the flames continued to blazed and caused enormous damage. Fortunately, the area of the fire has not expanded overnight. Around 562 emergency services are currently on site, including fire trees from Franconia for reinforcements. These are supported by further forces from Bavaria that will remain in use by Sunday. The foci of fire extends over around 250 hectares, and the district has proclaimed the disaster after the fire broke out in the small district of Gösselsdorf. The use of police helicopters for fire fighting takes place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., whereby the extinguishing work is made more difficult by the challenges of wind, heat and defective extinguishing water supply, such as Zeit.de describes.

support on site

The willingness to help in the region is great. Farmers actively support the firefighters with tractors and water trailers. The association "@fire" has also switched on with 50 volunteer forest fire specialists in the extinguishing measures. The district office expressly thanks for the support of the population and also announced that if necessary, they will start an official call for other volunteers. However, for grocery donations are asked for understanding, since coordination of such help offers is currently not possible.

In terms of technical means, Prime Minister Mario Voigt (CDU) is behind the emergency services and announced that he is working for the use of extinguishing aircraft and helicopters in Thuringia. At the moment there are only two police helicopters available that are used for fire fighting. At the same time, about 20 kilometers of hose lines were laid to improve the water supply on site and to support the use of the fire brigades.

forest fire statistics and prevention

The current fire in Thuringia also takes a look at the general challenges in forest fire prevention in Germany. Since the 1970s, forest fire data has been merged in nationwide statistics to enable forecasts and risk assessments. These statistics show the need for continuous attention for the protection and maintenance of the forests, which in Germany fulfill important user, protection and recreational functions. With the aim of reducing the number and area size of forest fires in the future, it is urgently needed to continue to work on the prevention, such as ble.de executed.

The situation remains tense, but the hope of rain and the constant efforts of the emergency services show the first positive signs. The coming days will be crucial for the further measures to contain this devastating forest fire.