The forest fire at the former military training ground in the German Sasko Federal State has expanded significantly, the local authorities reported on Wednesday. The flames have already affected the neighboring Brandenburg Federal State, where the capital of Berlin is located. More than two hundred firefighters intervene on the spot. The situation is considered extremely dangerous. According to the DPA report, TASR reports this.
“Together with the Saxon Land Police, the deployment of firefighting helicopters is currently being considered due to the occurrence of unexploded ammunition in the fire area,” The authorities there were late on Wednesday evening.
The area affected by fire has increased ten times, said Raiko Riedel, deputy commander of the fire brigade in the Saxon village of Zeithain. According to him, the fire affected approximately 600 hectares of the territory. Its rapid spread is helped by dry growth along with the weaker wind. Several municipalities had to be evacuated.
Brandenburg Interior Minister René Wilke also announced that The fire has crossed the border to Brandenburg. Two firefighters suffered serious injuries in this state of intervention in this state of federal country. “The fire escalated,” said a member of the Brandenburg Fire Corps Raimund Engel, adding that the fire spread over the entire area of the heather.
According to the fire brigade spokesman, the fire broke out on Tuesday 1 July in the afternoon near the location of the ammunition. The terrain is difficult due to the risk of detonation of unexploded ammunition at the former military training ground.
Gohrischheide has been a nature reserve for decades, it has been home to endangered birds of nesting in Saxony and has been affected by several fires. In June 2022, the local fire became the largest forest fire in Saxony over the last 30 years and caused damages for millions of euros. A year later another fire broke out, which lasted a few days. In both cases, it was suspected that their cause was arson.
