Emergency Declared as 200 Hectares of Forest Engulfed in Flames

Riesa, Saxony - A thick veil of smoke looms over several municipalities along the Saxony-Brandenburg border as emergency services battle a massive forest fire spanning 200 hectares in Gohrischheide, a former military training area situated between Riesa and Gröditz. Over 500 firefighters are engaged in efforts to control the blaze, which is rapidly approaching populated areas.

In a precautionary measure, the village of Wülknitz has partially evacuated its residents. Approximately 100 individuals, including those from a facility for people with severe disabilities, have been relocated to safety. The situation remains critical, with the fire still out of control and two firefighters reported injured during operations.

Recent rainfall on Thursday morning has not alleviated the crisis. Emergency crews are utilizing helicopters equipped with thermal imaging to identify hotspots from the air. Further evacuation orders have been issued for the 269 residents of Neudorf, located at the southern edge of Gohrischheide, as flames advance towards their community. Residents have been advised to take only essential belongings and head to the community center in Würschnitz for safety.

The fire has sparked concerns among residents. One individual expressed deep concern for the safety of their home and family, stating that they had to temporarily relocate to a relative's house in Riesa. Conversely, another resident, a former volunteer firefighter, expressed confidence in the emergency response efforts.

In light of the escalating situation, disaster alerts have been activated for three additional municipalities: Zeithain and Wülknitz, along with the city of Gröditz. The Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) is also on the ground, deploying water tanks to assist firefighting efforts.

Smoke continues to engulf the region as the fire, which has been burning for several days, has crossed into Brandenburg. Fortunately, fires on the Brandenburg side have been contained. Fire brigades from both states are working tirelessly, supported by THW and medical emergency services.

The terrain poses significant challenges for firefighting operations, as it is difficult to navigate and may contain unexploded ordnance from previous military activities, which poses additional risks. Firefighters must maintain a safety perimeter of 1,000 meters, restricting direct engagement with the flames. This precaution also applies to aerial firefighting units equipped with water buckets.