Westharz: Fire brigade fights against devastating forest fires - local support

Westharz: Fire brigade fights against devastating forest fires - local support

Last Friday, a devastating forest fire broke out on the Königsberg, a minor crop of the Brockens in the popular Harz National Park. Within a short time, the fire expanded over about 1,000 meters and threatened the safety of the visitors. As a result of the location, the Harz district had to bring around 500 hikers and athletes to safety with buses, while the area was temporarily closed to tourists.

emergency services worked tirelessly to control the fire. Both aircraft and helicopters should be used for fire fighting by Sunday evening. However, the hope of rain was steamed, as the crisis ladder Immo Kramer noted. "Often it rains in the West Harz, often there is often not so much left in the East Harz," he said.

help from the population

The support from the residents and local restaurateurs was remarkable. Kramer praised the great commitment of the population, which the fire brigades provided with cakes and other foods. The weather conditions and the efforts of the firefighters who worked in layers made this help particularly valuable. The incidents of two years ago, when a similar fire in the same region triggered the disaster, also seemed to be present.

As part of the existing challenges, the discussions about the costs for fire -fighting aircraft were also initiated. Kramer pointed out that a joint commitment of the EU, the federal government and the federal states was necessary to ensure the future of fire fighting. "Such fires will also meet other regions in Germany," said his urgent warning. According to his claim, the municipalities should no longer do the refinancing of these costs.

Another topic that came up is the danger situation through dead wood in the forests. Experts emphasize that this standing dead wood acts such as fire torches and increases the risk of fire significantly. The Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection made demands for improved area management and better management and mapping of the forest to reduce the risks in the future.

The forest fire was not the only event of the weekend. In Saxony-Anhalt, another fire raged near Oranienbaum, where between 50 and 55 hectares were on fire. Around 280 forces were also in use there, supported by extinguishing helicopters. This fire occurred in the immediate vicinity of a heavily frequented federal road and a residential area.