Forest fire in Gohrischheide: emergency services are fighting against the threat of spread!

Forest fire in Gohrischheide: emergency services are fighting against the threat of spread!

In Gohrischheide, Saxony, the fire department is currently facing an enormous challenge: a forest fire that has been raging since Tuesday afternoon is still not under control. The operations management is worried that the wind will change again and could bring fire to Brandenburg. This fear is not unfounded, as the wind direction could turn towards Brandenburg in the early hours of the morning, around 1 or 2 a.m., reports colleagues from rbb24.

The fires have not yet spread to Brandenburg territory, but the smoke is already causing concern. Cooperation between Saxony and Brandenburg, especially with regard to firefighting, is in full swing. In addition, around 300 forces from various organizations are deployed to bring the situation under control.

Difficult conditions for the emergency services

The situation on site is challenging, not only because of the fire, but also because of the areas contaminated with ammunition, which makes extinguishing work difficult. In Gohrischheide, the Technical Relief Organization (THW) has mobilized volunteers from 19 local associations since the start of the operation. These helpers work in shifts, while some have already been relieved. Their tasks include setting up water transfer points and ensuring water logistics, which is crucial for fighting vegetation fires, explains MDR.

The fire department has currently estimated the affected area to be up to 1,000 hectares, while the district office speaks of 200 hectares. Air support is also important for the fire-fighting work: a Bundeswehr aircraft is currently in use and two Federal Police aircraft are being planned.

Consequences for the region and outlook

The consequences of the forest fire are already noticeable: In order to avoid crop failures, farmers in the region have to harvest their fields early, which can put a financial strain on them. The risk of forest fires is also expected to increase again at the weekend, as the German Weather Service expects the danger level to be second or even highest in many regions of Brandenburg.

Like that Federal Environment Agency reports, Brandenburg was already affected by a high number of forest fires in 2023, with a total of 251 registered incidents. This means an additional burden on the already tense forest fire situation, which is likely to worsen further in the coming decades due to higher temperatures and less precipitation.

The authorities are therefore faced with the challenge of developing effective strategies to prevent and combat forest fires. The use of armored vehicles in particularly vulnerable areas and improving the fire-fighting water supply are just some of the points currently being discussed.