Overview

• The wildfire broke out on May 14, 2025, near Schierke in the Harz mountains, consuming 1.2 hectares of forested terrain.
• Firefighters detected the blaze around 11 a.m. and deployed 120 personnel, ten brigades, and a firefighting aircraft to combat the flames.
• Wind-driven flames and difficult-to-access slopes on the Kleine Winterberg presented significant challenges during the operation.
• The fire was fully extinguished after nearly five hours, with crews transitioning to hotspot searches and a fire watch established by the Landesforstbetrieb Harz.
• Motorists are advised to avoid Bundesstraße 27 between Elend and Braunlage as safety measures remain in place.