Wildfire Threatens Communities Near Berlin: Gohrischheide Blaze Continues

In a significant ongoing incident, firefighters have been battling a wildfire in the Gohrischheide region, located at the border of Saxony and Brandenburg, for the past six days. According to reports from the district office in Meißen, approximately 2,100 hectares of forest have been impacted by the blaze.

As of now, the situation remains critical, prompting the continued evacuation of two local communities, Heidehäuser and Jacobsthal Bahnhof. A total of around 555 personnel from various organizations, including fire services, the Technical Relief Agency, the military, and police, are actively engaged in efforts to contain the fire.

On Sunday, aerial support is expected with the deployment of both a water-dropping helicopter and a reconnaissance helicopter. Additionally, a police water cannon will assist in the firefighting efforts. A specialized firefighting unit for vegetation fires is also anticipated to arrive from Mansfeld-Südharz in Saxony-Anhalt.

The Gohrischheide area, known for its ecological significance, was previously a military training ground for the Soviet Army until 1992. This history complicates firefighting operations due to the potential presence of unexploded ordnance, necessitating a cautious approach. Fire crews are often required to maintain a considerable distance and operate from vehicles to ensure safety.

The wildfire began on Tuesday, leading to a disaster alert declared for three municipalities by Thursday. The latest satellite images from the Copernicus project have revealed that around 1,581 hectares have been scorched, though officials suggest that the actual figure could be higher due to possible undetected damage in tree canopies obscured by smoke.

Authorities estimate that the area affected could extend to about 2,100 hectares, which is roughly equivalent to 10% of the size of Chemnitz. The northern regions of Saxony, including Gohrischheide, have reached the highest fire danger level, Level 5, over the weekend, raising concerns among firefighting teams.

Firefighters remain hopeful for precipitation, with rain forecasted for Monday and Tuesday, which could help mitigate the blaze. On Saturday, warm temperatures and increasing winds contributed to a volatile situation on the ground, with approximately 700 personnel involved in firefighting efforts throughout the day and into the night.

As the wind shifted towards Brandenburg, smoke from the fire has drifted as far as Berlin, prompting officials to issue warnings of intensified smoke and odor disturbances in various districts, including Elbe-Elster, Dahme-Spree, Oberspreewald-Lausitz, and Teltow-Fläming.