Red alarm level: Massive forest fires meet district Elbe-Elster!

Red alarm level: Massive forest fires meet district Elbe-Elster!

Bad Liebenwerda, Deutschland - A worrying event has excited the fire brigades in the Elbe-Elster district. On June 26, 2025, one of the most extensive forest fire operations of the year occurred. According to blueichtreport , the first alarm was triggered in the forest near Hennersdorf at 12:45 p.m.

A look at the operational data shows that the fire brigades from Doberlug-Kirchhain, Finsterwalde and the Office of Elsterland became active together. The increase in smoke developments in Rückersdorf, Fischwasser and Eichholz, which indicated a total of four confirmed fire spots, was particularly dramatic. Although a top fire was suspected, it could not be confirmed. About 4.5 hectares of forest were affected by 10 p.m.

processing of the causes of fire

The police have already investigated the cause of the fire. Deputy district fire chief Mario Harnisch thanked the emergency services for their rapid reaction. The use was divided into five sections - four for fire fighting and one for tactical provision. The “TLF-S-SOFORT” component of the district, which consists of tank fire engines, was also active to be on the spot in time-critical missions.

Such forest fires are not an isolated case in Brandenburg. In 2022, 507 forest fires and an affected area of ​​1,410.90 hectares of one of the most forest -burning years of the past 20 years were registered. According to Forst Brandenburg , main causes of forest breaks are often negligence and arson, while extremely dry and hot weather is further tightened.

A look back at the big fires

Two years earlier, there was a devastating fire in the Gohrischheide nature reserve near Bad Liebenwerda, in which around 850 hectares burned down. "A significant part of it was on the Brandenburg side," reported rbb24 . The damage amounts to the millions, and reforestation is a lengthy affair - a new forest takes years to grow. The forest owner Michael Marth describes that new mixed forests are now being created, while mostly pine grew.

Although the 2024 forest fire season has so far been light, there is concern that insufficient reforestation measures and the presence of dead wood could increase the risk of fire. Many forest owners have not yet become active, and responsibility for the care of the young forest is becoming increasingly pressing.

It is clear that the protection of the forests in Brandenburg continues to be a top priority. Local fire brigades and forest owners have to work together to prevent future disasters.