Alert issued for potential forest fire in Thuringia
**Large Wildfires Continue to Ravage Eastern Germany**
A severe heatwave and dry conditions have fuelled large forest fires in the states of Saxony and Thuringia, Germany, since early July 2025. The fires, particularly in the Gohrischheide region of Saxony and near Gosselsdorf in Thuringia, have been challenging to contain due to wind, heat, and water supply issues.
In Saxony, a major wildfire has been burning in the Gohrischheide region, covering around 200 hectares. The fire has advanced despite overnight firefighting efforts, threatening nearby towns such as Zeithain, Wulknitz, and Groditz, which have declared states of emergency. The fire is particularly challenging because it burns on a former military training area containing unexploded ordnance, complicating containment and firefighting operations. Nearly 500 firefighters have been deployed, and some have sustained serious injuries.
In Thuringia, the largest forest fire in three decades near Gosselsdorf has expanded to around 300 hectares. Strong winds are hampering efforts to contain this blaze, which remains a significant threat to the region.
Emergency services have deployed hundreds of firefighters, with roughly 1,000 emergency responders working on the ground to contain the blazes across the affected regions. Firefighters are employing traditional firefighting techniques, but conditions are difficult due to the extreme heat, dry vegetation, and challenging terrain, especially in former military zones where unexploded munitions add risk.
Evacuations have been carried out in several towns close to the fires to ensure civilian safety. Despite these efforts, the fires continue to spread in parts due to persistent heat, dry conditions, and strong winds, requiring sustained and coordinated firefighting operations.
The fires are part of a broader pattern of severe heat and drought conditions affecting much of Europe, increasing wildfire risk. Authorities remain vigilant as the heatwave persists, emphasizing the need for ongoing firefighting resources and emergency preparedness to protect people and property in these vulnerable eastern German regions.
Recently, a firefighting unit specializing in vegetation fires arrived from Saxony-Anhalt to help with the Gohrisch heath fire. Unmanned firefighting robots from Brandenburg were also used in the Gohrisch heath fire. Satellite images from Copernicus provided new insights into the extent of the Gohrisch heath fire.
In Thuringia, the disaster situation has been declared for the forest fire. The forest fires in eastern Germany have somewhat eased in some areas, with the situation on the Saalfelder Height stable, but there are still individual spot fires.
The Gohrisch heath, covering approximately 2,800 hectares, has now almost completely burned out, which at least has the positive aspect that burned areas cannot catch fire again. Minister President Mario Voigt (CDU) described the Thuringia forest fire as an "exceptional event that affects us all." The Gohrisch heath fire has burned approximately one tenth of the area of the city of Chemnitz.
Despite the challenges, the firefighters' efforts have been commendable, and the weather forecast in Thuringia is playing a role in the more optimistic assessment, with high humidity and lower temperatures improving the situation. As the firefighting operations continue, authorities and emergency services remain committed to containing the blazes and protecting the affected communities.
Radio reports are broadcasting updates on the ongoing large wildfires in Saxony and Thuringia, Germany, as firefighters valiantly combat the blazes. The severe heatwave and dry conditions have fueled these fires, making environmental science and weather forecasting crucial for predicting and managing the situation. Climate change may potentially contribute to the increased risk of such wildfires in the future. Scientists are closely monitoring the impact of the fires on the environment and exploring new technologies, like unmanned firefighting robots, to aid firefighting efforts.
