Military Training Areas Prepared for Forest Fire Season

In anticipation of the upcoming forest fire season, military training areas in Brandenburg are undergoing significant preparations to mitigate the risk of wildfires. Following last year's challenges when a fire erupted on an old training ground, authorities are implementing proactive measures to enhance fire safety.

A spokesperson from the Brandenburg Foundation for Natural Landscapes reported that dead wood has been cleared from public roads, and several plots have undergone munitions clearance. Additionally, the fire protection systems in these areas have been upgraded.

The fire prevention and combat systems include accessible firebreaks, firefighting wells, and protective strips with sand that can help contain fires. This year alone, the foundation has repaired around 54 firebreaks and strips across former training sites in Jüterbog, Heidehof, Lieberose, and Tangersdorf.

The initiative aims to prepare these regions as effectively as possible against the looming threat of wildfires. Last year, a significant blaze on a 172-hectare area of the Jüterbog training ground posed considerable challenges, requiring assistance from the federal police and the military, which deployed helicopters to combat the flames.

In the aftermath of that incident, parts of the affected land have been left to regenerate naturally, while other sections have been actively reforested. A research group is monitoring the recovery process to gather insights for future wildfire management strategies.