Forest fire in Gohrisheide remains critical
A significant forest fire, one of the most severe in eastern Germany, has been burning in Gohrischheide, Saxony since Tuesday, July 1, 2025. The blaze, spanning approximately 2,100 hectares, has prompted a large-scale, multi-agency response, with firefighters, the Technical Relief Agency, Bundeswehr, law enforcement agencies, and a specialized firefighting unit for vegetation fires from Mansfeld-Südharz in Saxony-Anhalt all involved in the efforts [2][4].
The fire has caused significant environmental damage, forced evacuations, and resulted in injuries. Over 100 residents from nearby villages, including Heidehäuser, Neudorf, and parts of Lichtensee, have been evacuated, with residents advised to take only essentials and use improvised respiratory protection due to smoke [1]. Two firefighters have been seriously injured with burns while battling the fire [1].
The fire in Heidehäuser is approaching the residential home from the south, and efforts are being made to protect it. Firefighting and reconnaissance helicopters, including military helicopters, have been deployed to help suppress the fire and detect hotspots with specialized cameras [1][2][3]. Police water cannons are also being used to aid suppression [2].
Due to the fire occurring on a former military training area with unexploded munitions, firefighting tactics often require maintaining a safe distance and operating from vehicles to avoid detonation risks [1][2][3]. An extensive forest fire has been raging in Gohrischheide, northern Saxony, and the situation remains critical as of Sunday [6].
The German Weather Service has warned of continued risk of forest fires in the region over the weekend, although rain is expected to help improve conditions starting Monday [3][5]. However, it remains uncertain whether the forest fire area will receive rain. The weather situation remains difficult in the coming days, with potential localized showers and thunderstorms and possible storm gusts that could further fan the fire [7].
In addition to the firefighting personnel, hundreds of personnel from various organizations were deployed on Sunday to combat the fire, with unmanned extinguishing robots from Brandenburg also involved [8]. A recovery tank of the German Armed Forces was in action at a barracks in Zeithain, creating a firebreak to protect a specific area [9].
Despite the ongoing challenges, progress is being made. A false alarm was raised for Neudorf and Lichtensee, where a biogas plant had to be protected, but it is now secured. However, the villages of Jacobsthal Bahnhof and Heidehäuser remain evacuated as of Sunday evening [6].
The Gohrischheide wildfire is a testament to the resilience of the community and the dedication of the responders. As the situation remains critical, efforts will continue to ensure the safety of the residents, protect the environment, and bring the fire under control.
The fire in Gohrischheide, Saxony, has significantly impacted the local environment and climate, further emphasizing the urgent need for ongoing climate-change research in environmental-science. The continuous firefighting efforts, involving various agencies, helicopters, and unmanned extinguishing robots, are being influenced by the weather conditions, with a potential stormy weekend predicted by the German Weather Service.
