Persisting Threat: Forest Blaze in Gohrishheide Continues to Endanger Areas
The Gohrischheide forest fire, which broke out on July 1, 2025, in a former military training area on the Saxony-Brandenburg border, has been burning for five days and remains uncontrolled as of July 6[1][3][4]. The fire has spread across an estimated 1,300 hectares (3,212 acres), posing a significant threat to nearby villages such as Heidehäuser, Neudorf, and parts of Lichtensee[3].
Heidehäuser, Neudorf, and Lichtensee have already been evacuated, with residents advised to take only essential items and to cover their mouths and noses due to the smoke[1]. Emergency officials warn travelers to avoid the region because of ongoing dangers, including the risk of ammunition detonations in the contaminated former military zone[1][2].
Nearly 1,000 firefighters are actively engaged in battling the fire, supported by helicopters from police and military forces to locate and extinguish embers[2]. The Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) and local farmers are also involved in the extensive efforts[4]. However, the situation is complicated by the presence of buried munitions, which makes close access risky due to potential explosions[1][2].
As of July 4–5, no reports indicate the arrival of additional specialized teams beyond those already deployed, but firefighting personnel continue coordinated efforts. The German Weather Service forecasts rain starting Monday, which is expected to aid fire suppression and improve conditions[2].
In Jacobsthal Bahnhof, 45 residents were evacuated on Friday evening, and in Heidehäuser, around 100 people, including care home residents, were evacuated on Wednesday evening[1]. Satellite images are expected to provide more information on the extent of the forest fire.
The highest forest fire risk remains in northern Saxony, with the Meißen district administration advising continued evacuations of Jacobsthal Bahnhof and Heidehäuser as announced[1]. A firefighting robot and a police water cannon are in use in Heidehäuser to prevent the fire from spreading to the village. In Jacobsthal Bahnhof, firefighting is carried out exclusively from vehicles to protect the residential area, the explosives site, and the radio mast[1].
As the Gohrischheide forest fire continues to burn, the focus remains on containing the blaze and protecting nearby villages. With the anticipated rain and the efforts of hundreds of firefighters and support teams, there is hope that the situation will improve in the coming days. However, the potential risks from buried munitions and the ongoing threat to local communities require continued vigilance and coordinated efforts.
- The environmental science community is expressing concern about the long-term impact of the Gohrischheide forest fire on the region's biodiversity, particularly in relation to the affected species and their habitats.
- In order to predict the future weather patterns and their potential effect on the forest fire, researchers in the field of science are collecting data on the weather conditions, such as humidity and wind speed, in and around the burning area.
