Waldbrand on the chunk: hope for rain and air support

Waldbrand on the chunk: hope for rain and air support

Am Brocken, the highest peak in northern Germany, have to deal with the emergency services against a devastating forest fire. In the Wernigerode region, the firefighters show a glimmer of hope: an upcoming weather change could bring rain from Sunday evening, which could make the situation on site considerably easier. Kai-Uwe Lohse, the district fire chief of the Harz district, expressed optimistic: "We expect several days, but hope that changes in the big weather situation on Monday will end here." Despite the difficult circumstances, he announced that the situation was now under control.

The German Weather Service forecast continues to forecast hot weather for Sunday to evening, which flows through Saxony-Anhalt. From the late evening, however, heavy rain could be used from the west, with quantities of more than 40 liters per square meter in the affected areas. This would significantly support the work of the fire brigade.

rescue workers mobilized

The extinguishing work was interrupted in the night hours to Sunday, and only patrol trips took place. On Sunday, however, there was a resumption of extinguishing measures with fire aircraft and helicopters. An additional helicopter from the Bundeswehr arrived on the Brocken on Saturday evening, and further air support is expected for Sunday. From 8 a.m., a maximum of eight helicopters and four fire -fighting aircraft should be in use to combat the fire front. "We use all available funds to contain the fire," said a spokesman for the city of Wernigerode.

Already on Saturday there were over 250 forces to cope with the fire. Support not only came from the surrounding counties, but also from specialized units such as the technical relief organization, the National Park, the Bundeswehr and the Federal Police. This concentrated willingness shows how seriously the situation is taken and how important the cooperation between different organizations is.

forest fire and evacuation

The fire that broke out on Friday on Königsberg, a minor crest of the Brocken, has spread over a distance of around 1,000 meters. Due to the danger and smoke development, civilians from the region must stay away. Residents near Braunlage, Torfhaus and in the area of the B4 were asked to keep windows and doors closed to minimize health risks. The Harz narrow -gauge railways also had to set the train traffic between three Annen Hohne and the chunk until at least Sunday.

The region is under the impression of nature that tends to violent fires in this dryness. The fact that this could lead to such a large forest fire is a clear sign of the susceptibility of the forests in our time and the challenges with which the rescue workers are confronted. The upcoming change of weather could be seen as a life -saving turn, for which everyone involved is eagerly hoping.