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Eastern Germany Wildfires Remain Uncontrolled, Forcing Continued Evacuations

Containing the blazes is complicated by unexploded ordnance on former military sites, despite a record deployment of over 500 responders

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Der völlig demolierte Transporter blockiert die Hittfelder Landstraße in Fleestedt bei Hamburg. Anwohner brachten Abkühlung.

Overview

  • The Gohrischheide fire spans about 200 hectares, has crossed from Saxony into Brandenburg and triggered mandatory evacuations in Heidehäuser and Neudorf.
  • A separate wildfire on the Saalfelder Höhe in Thuringia covers roughly 300 hectares under a catastrophe alarm, making it the largest regional blaze since 1993.
  • Firefighters have brought a 165-hectare fire near Jüterbog under control, but the Gohrischheide and Saalfelder Höhe hotspots remain active.
  • More than 500 personnel from Saxony, Brandenburg and Thuringia, backed by a police reconnaissance helicopter, are engaged in containment efforts.
  • Unexploded munitions on former training grounds force crews and water-dropping helicopters to keep a 1,000-meter safety distance, hindering direct suppression.