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Large forest fire in Reinhardswald: Fire brigade fights against flames!
Forest fire in the Reinhardswald near Kassel: Over 200 emergency services are fighting fire in an area of 12,000 square meters. No injuries.
Large forest fire in Reinhardswald: Fire brigade fights against flames!
On Tuesday afternoon, July 2, 2025, a major forest and vegetation fire in the Reinhardswald near Immenhausen became critical. The first alarm with the keyword “FForest 2” was triggered at 4:40 p.m. When the fire brigade arrived, an area of around 80 by 100 meters was already burning. However, within a short time the fire spread to a shocking area of 12,000 square meters (150 by 80 meters). The emergency services were alerted and acted quickly and in a coordinated manner, which meant that any further spread could initially be prevented. The situation for the fire brigade was challenging as the fire site was about 80 meters from gravel paths and the temperatures rose above 30 degrees. The firefighters also received support from farmers who were there with tank trailers and support from an airfield fire engine from the Kassel Airport Fire Department.
How n-tv Reportedly, a total of 219 emergency services were mobilized to fight the fire. An excavator was used to cut a path into the forest floor and contain the fire. A shuttle service with tank fire engines was also set up. As the situation continued to deteriorate in the evening, the fire department requested a federal police fire-fighting helicopter from Egelsbach. This took water from the Fulda near Wilhelmshausen and threw it specifically over the fire area.
Control and cause of fire
Thanks to decisive measures, the flames were first brought under control late at night. To combat embers, a wetting agent, i.e. foam, was added to the extinguishing water. Police have begun an investigation into the cause of the fire, which is currently unclear. However, it is emphasized that there were no injuries and that there was no danger to the surrounding people.
Forest fires are an increasingly serious problem in Germany and worldwide. This is what an analysis shows Statista that more than 1,200 hectares were destroyed by fires in Germany in 2023. The previous years were also not without their effects: in 2022, the area destroyed fell to over 3,000 hectares, the highest value in the last 30 years. The danger and destruction caused by forest fires has increased alarmingly, particularly in southern European countries, the USA and the Amazon region. The most common causes of wildfires are arson and negligence. Around half of the fires also have an unknown origin.
The fire in Reinhardswald is a striking example of how nature and human actions often collide in dramatic ways. In view of the current climatic changes and the associated heat and dry periods, the hope remains that both preventative measures and quick reactions from the fire department can make a big difference in the future. A strong awareness of wildfires is essential to ensure that our habitat remains protected and such recent events do not become the norm.