** forest fire near Jüterbog deemed small-scale incident**
Forest Fire Specialist Raimund Engel from Brandenburg's Forest Fire Protection Division remains calm about the recent blaze near Jüterbog. He told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur that it's not a cause for major concern. There are no nearby buildings or infrastructure at risk.
Engel hinted that the fire might advance towards the firebreaks. These firebreaks are wide paths and open spaces that firefighters can utilize to combat the blaze.
He doubts the fire will surge over these firebreaks. The firebreaks are usually vast clearing areas. When they're not expansive enough, every precaution will be taken to prevent the fire from leaping them. "I'm optimistic," said Engel.
Nearly 51 hectares have been affected by the fire.
The forest fire ignited on the old training ground near Jüterbog, Brandenburg, on Thursday around 11:40 AM for unknown reasons. Firefighters have reported that approximately 51 hectares have been affected. Fire chief Rico Walentin initially predicted the fire to expand further. However, the presence of old ammunition in the ground poses a challenge to firefighting efforts. A water-bombing helicopter is already operational.
Last year, a similar fire engulfed the same area, burning about 700 hectares. Firefighters were present for numerous days. Aircraft and helicopters were used to suppress the fire from the air. The same forest area also experienced a fire in mid-August.
In light of the current circumstances, the Commission intends to provide additional resources for firefighting efforts in the Jüterbog area due to the ongoing forest fire. Engel's optimism is justified as he believes that the fire will not cross the well-maintained and extensive firebreaks established earlier.
Did you know?
When battling forest fires:
- Firebreaks are created to stop the spread of the fire by clearing vegetation and other combustible materials.
- Water bombers, helicopters, and ground-based firefighting equipment are deployed to extinguish the fire.
- Evacuations might be necessary to ensure public safety.
- Monitoring is carried out using surveillance systems and ground patrols to respond promptly to any changes.
- Controlled burns are sometimes conducted in high-risk areas to decrease fuel loads and prevent larger fires.
- Public education on fire safety and prevention is essential to reduce the risk of forest fires.
These measures are often put into action by local and national firefighting services, like those in Tokyo and other prefectures in Japan, which have been dispatched to combat a significant wildfire in Japan.
