Emergency forces on the chunk: Hope for rain for fire fighting

Emergency forces on the chunk: Hope for rain for fire fighting

on the Brocken, the highest summit of northern Germany, fight for a devastating forest fire. However, the situation could change soon, because meteorologists expect a change in the weather from late Sunday evening. "We expect several days, but hope that changes in the big weather situation will end here on Monday," emphasizes Kai-Uwe Lohse, the district fire chief of the Harz district. The situation is under control at the present time, but it remains a high risk.

On Sunday it will initially remain warm according to the German Weather Service, but from the evening heavy rain could start from the west. This rain could accept massive dimensions locally, with over 40 liters per square meter, which means that storms are not excluded. An effective precipitation could benefit the fire fighting considerably.

Significant use of fire -fighting aircraft and helicopters

Already on Saturday there were more than 250 emergency services to combat the fire. These forces not only rely on vehicles, but also on air support. On the night of Sunday, the extinguishing work was briefly interrupted, but fire aircraft and helicopters started their missions again in the morning. Another helicopter from the Bundeswehr is expected on Sunday, and a total of up to twelve aircraft are mobilized for fire fighting, including eight helicopters and four aircraft. These are used intensively on Sunday to fight the flames.

The fire broke out on Friday on the Königsberg, a minor crop of the Brocken, and quickly spreads to a length of around 1,000 meters. In the meantime, the Harz narrow -gauge railway had to expose the train traffic between three Annen Hohne and the chunks up to and including Sunday. In addition, around 500 people who were located on the Brocken were evacuated. Residents from Braunlage, Torfhaus and the area around the B4 are asked to keep windows and doors closed due to the smoke development.

Coordination of the emergency services

The fire is not combated by local forces. Several operational groups from neighboring counties as well as from federal helper services such as the technical relief organization and the federal police have promised their support. This cooperation is crucial to keep the fire under control and prevent greater spread. The official coordination of the necessary resources is of the utmost importance to ensure the safety of the emergency services and the civilian population.

The situation remains tense and the coming days will be crucial whether the rain expected by the weather change can be the promising turning point in the fight against the fire on the chunk. The emergency services hope for sustainable progress in their strenuous work through the planned air operations and the help of the weather conditions.