Forest Fire Status: Stable, Smoke Reaches Berlin Capital - Berlin brimming with smoke due to a steady blaze nearby.
In the heart of Eastern Germany, a severe forest fire in Gohrischheide, located at the border between Saxony and Brandenburg near the village of Neudorf, continues to pose a significant threat. The initial **200 hectares** of forest land have been engulfed, with some reports suggesting the affected area may have expanded to around **1,000 hectares**.
Over **1,000 firefighters** are battling the blaze, which is complicated by heat, drought, and shifting strong winds in the region. The fire remains **out of control**, and **two firefighters have been seriously injured** during operations. Villages including Neudorf, Heidehäuser, parts of Lichtensee, and Wülknitz have been partially or fully evacuated, with residents urged to take only essential belongings and follow safety precautions such as protecting their respiratory tracts from smoke.
The region is currently experiencing a severe **heat wave**, with temperatures approaching or exceeding **40°C (104°F)** due to an African anticyclone sweeping across Europe. This extreme heat notably contributes to the fire's intensity and spread. Winds are **strong and shifting**, which is making firefighting efforts more difficult and causing the fire front to fluctuate in location and intensity. This complicates containment efforts, especially near the former military training ground where there is a risk of ammunition detonations.
Despite the challenging conditions, emergency services are deploying advanced helicopter surveillance and mobilizing large firefighting forces to mitigate the disaster. A larger contingent is expected to be deployed in Saxony again to combat the fire. The forest fire is also planned to be extinguished from the air.
The smoke plumes from the fire are reaching Saxony, impacting parts of the region. In Brandenburg, there are no extreme fire occurrences, but small areas need to be monitored. Fire departments have issued warnings about the smoke via the Nina and Mowas warning apps. Residents in several districts in Brandenburg and Berlin have reported a smoke smell.
In summary, the current situation remains critical in the Gohrischheide area, with high temperatures, strong winds, and dry conditions exacerbating the wildfire crisis. Residents are urged to stay informed, follow safety precautions, and heed evacuation orders as necessary.
- The Commission is proposing to extend the period of validity of the environmental-science and general-news programme to cover the unfolding wildfire crisis in Gohrischheide, specifically the science and impact of climate-change on the intensity of forest fires and the politics involved in managing such crises.
- Amid the ongoing forest fire in Gohrischheide, scientists are studying the effects of the extreme heat wave, reaching temperatures up to 40°C (104°F), on the fire's behavior and spread, providing crucial data for environmental-science research.
- As the fire in Gohrischheide continues to pose a threat, general-news outlets are closely monitoring the developments, reporting on the efforts of over 1,000 firefighters to bring the blaze under control, as well as the two firefighters who have been seriously injured during operations.
