Overview
- Two separate forest fires broke out over the Easter holiday in Saxony at Königstein beneath the Lilienstein and by Sandschenke on the B115, with strong wind speeding the spread.
- Police say the Königstein fire started in a not fully extinguished fire bowl, and they opened a negligent‑arson investigation of the 53‑year‑old operator.
- About 1.5 hectares burned at Königstein as 105 firefighters from several towns worked until about 9 p.m., with Red Cross medics and aid crews supporting them.
- Near Sandschenke, roughly two hectares of conifer forest burned, more than 70 firefighters contained crown fires after about two and a half hours, and the cause remains unknown.
- Drone teams found hotspots and guided mop‑up at both scenes, and tanker shuttles drew from on‑site ponds where no hydrants existed, showing that even low warning levels can still produce fast fires in strong wind.