Forest fire extinguished in the Harz: hikers are allowed to come again!

Forest fire extinguished in the Harz: hikers are allowed to come again!

A relief for hikers and nature lovers in the Harz: The forest area near Goslar, which was affected by an extensive forest fire, has officially been reopened. Since Saturday, visitors have been able to explore the original beauty of the Granetalsperre area again. This welcome update comes after days of intensive firefighting efforts and the ongoing work of over 1,560 firefighters who have been deployed since the fire broke out on June 22nd. So reported NDR.

The flames, which devastated an area of ​​around seven hectares - the equivalent of around ten football fields - have now been extinguished, although the final fire outbreak cannot yet be announced. City Fire Chief Christian Hellmeier pointed out that embers still need to be controlled. The fire department has a technical assistant to support them: the “Little Witch” drone is used to locate hidden embers. Even if there is currently no longer any acute danger, the emergency services are still on site to fight the last embers and ensure the safety of hikers.

A look into the future

In the meantime, visitors should be aware that the cause of the fire remains unclear. Investigations into this cannot begin until the fire has been completely extinguished. Firefighters and local residents ask hikers to be patient and understanding if occasional smoke appears. The request for calm comes particularly at the right time, given the embers that still exist and need to be monitored.

The increasing number of forest fires in Germany shed light on an alarming development regarding the effects of climate change. Like the statistics of Statista show, over 1,200 hectares were affected by forest fires in 2023, damaging nature and posing significant risks to living beings. The fires are not just an accident, but also a result of increasingly dry and hot periods.

The trend in Germany

Regions such as Brandenburg and Lower Saxony are particularly affected, where arson and negligent behavior are common causes of fires. In 2023, just 27 forest fires in Germany were caused by natural causes, while the majority were due to human error. A trend that many observers are following with concern and that will require urgent action in the coming years.

Citizens are called upon to treat nature and its resources more carefully. Forest fires not only have an impact on flora and fauna, but also on people's health through the emission of fine dust. Even though the Harz is currently welcoming visitors again, the issue of forest fires in Germany remains an important and pressing concern that society must address in order to prevent future damage.