Potential forest fire rekindling in Brandenburg, according to local administrative leader's warning.
The forest fire that has been burning in the Gohrischheide nature reserve, situated near the Saxony-Brandenburg border, continues to pose a significant threat. Over 2,100 hectares of land remain ablaze, with emergency services working tirelessly to contain the blaze.
The initial spark was attributed to the recent heatwave that pushed temperatures up to 40 °C, creating dry conditions ideal for wildfires. Strong winds have further compounded the risk of fires reigniting, particularly in Brandenburg, where authorities remain vigilant despite some stability in Saxony.
As of now, the border forest fire is currently stable in Saxony but remains uncontrolled in the Gohrischheide due to munition contamination. This contamination prevents the fire from being extinguished completely, causing ongoing concern.
The Brandenburg colleagues are in constant exchange with the German Weather Service (DWD), monitoring the weather conditions closely. Despite the night being quite cool, the risk of fires persists due to ongoing dry conditions and residual heat trapped by high-pressure systems. There has been no specific mention of imminent rain in the region to significantly alleviate the fire risk.
Over 550 firefighters, technical relief workers, the German Armed Forces, and police have been deployed, with up to 140 vehicles, firefighting helicopters, and even a firefighting robot from Brandenburg supporting the operation. The Meißen district administrator Ralf Hähnsel stated that the Brandenburg colleagues are prepared for the fire to potentially start up again.
Emergency services are trying to prevent the fire from spreading further in the peripheral areas from the air. However, the fire fronts are moving towards each other within the Gohrischheide, adding to the complexity of the situation.
Rising temperatures this weekend could potentially intensify the fire, but forecasts suggest that rain is expected for Monday and Tuesday, which may provide some relief to the firefighters. The efforts are being carried out by the fire department, Technical Relief Agency (THW), and other aid organizations, working together to combat the ongoing blaze.
The recent heatwave, influencing temperatures up to 40 °C and resulting in dry conditions, has been identified as the initial cause of the forest fire. Concurrently, climate-change induced weather patterns, such as strong winds and continued dry conditions, are posing a looming threat to the stability of the fire, particularly in Brandenburg.
