Waldbrand alarm in Thuringia: Health endangered, close windows!
Waldbrand alarm in Thuringia: Health endangered, close windows!
In Thuringia, the flames are blazing: On the Saalfeld Höhe, an important forest fire has developed, which has a significant impact not only on local vegetation, but also the air quality. According to Antenne.de, several counties in Thuringia and Bavaria are warned of smoke development because the flue gases should move southeast and notify the residents.
The district of Saalfeld-Rudolstadt has triggered a disaster alarm. The forest fire, which now affects an area of around 250 hectares, could continue to spread. The current drought that favors the rapid spread of fires, especially on former military training areas, is worrying. In addition to Thuringia, the districts of Sonneberg and Saale-Orla-Kreis are also affected, while in Bavaria the districts of Kronach, Kulmbach and Hof have published corresponding warning messages. In Hof, however, no special health risk is excluded, while the citizens of Kronach are invited to caution.
preparation and support
The emergency services are set for long use. Around 180 firefighters are on site and arm themselves against the flames. The situation is serious: the fire in Gohrischheide has expanded dramatically in a short time and currently affects around 600 hectares. Here, even around 100 people from the town of Heidehäuser had to be evacuated, including about 45 residents of residents, since the risk that the fire will spread to the buildings increases. Local residents are called on the Warn app Nina to leave their houses immediately.
A further 100 emergency services from southern Thuringia are requested for the extinguishing work. Police helicopters and fire trucks are ready to combat the embers nests, which are located in the difficult to access forest areas. The fire brigade has the task of not only extinguishing the fire, but also taking rapid measures to prevent spreading.
health risks by smoke
Another concern is the health effects of smoke development. The Federal Environment Agency warns that forest fires dismiss various pollutants into the air - including fine dust and carbon monoxide. These substances can not only irritate the airways, but also strain the cardiovascular system. People with existing respiratory diseases or cardiovascular problems are particularly at risk. The fine dust pollution can penetrate deeply into the lungs and cause serious health problems, such as high blood pressure or even hospital stays. It is therefore advisable to keep windows and doors closed and switch off ventilation and air conditioning systems in order to minimize the risk of health risk.
The current situation in Thuringia shows us once again how susceptible our environment is and how quickly a danger can develop even in supposedly calm times. While the emergency services do everything possible to tame the flames, it is to be hoped that residents will remain safe and health will not be endangered. Further information on the effects of forest fires on air quality can be found on the website of the Environmental Federal Office DetailsOrt Heidehäuser, Thüringen, Deutschland Quellen