Forest fires
Fire at Jüterbog: major damage situation proclaimed
The forest fire near Jüterbog is also fought with a fire-fighting helicopter. photo
© Sven Kaeuler/TNN/dpa
A fire broke out in a forest near Jüterbog in Brandenburg last week. The fires seemed under control, but now the situation has “dramaticized” again.
A major damage situation has been declared for the forest fire near Jüterbog south of Berlin. This was confirmed by a spokesman for the operations management of the Teltow-Fläming district. The situation had “dramatized, so the major damage situation was declared.” First, the RBB had reported.
In the event of a major disaster, there is an “oversized use of forces and resources,” said the spokesman. There are currently 100 emergency services and 18 fire engines on site. The sum of the fire area now amounts to 718 hectares in the previous fire area. 10 hectares were newly added in an area in the direction of Frankenförde.
The size of the fire area was last given as 650 hectares on Wednesday. But the following still applies: “Even by the new fire, no towns are threatened.”
Until now, the city of Jüterbog had been in charge of the operation, but now the district of Teltow-Fläming is responsible due to the major damage situation. According to the spokesman, the emergency services should receive support from the federal police and the armed forces on Saturday, after which three helicopters should extinguish the flames.
Morning hope not fulfilled
About a week and a half after the forest fire broke out, the fire brigade had hoped for a relaxation. But on Friday the freshening wind fanned it again. In the fire area, which consists of areas that have already been burned and burning areas, numerous extinguished areas are on fire again, said the head of the Jüterbog municipal regulatory office, Christiane Lindner-Klopsch, in the afternoon.
There has been a fire in the munitions-loaded area since May 31. The fire brigade cannot get to the source of the fire directly because of the risk of explosion on the former military training area.
“The situation remains critical”
So far this year there have been around 130 forest fires in Brandenburg. This is a little less than last year, when 170 forest fires had already been counted up to that point. But that is only due to the rather cool and wet weather in February and March. “In the period ahead, the situation remains very critical.”
The German Forest Protection Association therefore called on citizens to be particularly careful. The association announced that the litter of branches, twigs and half-decomposed leaves as well as the centimeter-thick needle litter in the forests had completely dried up. “A discarded cigarette, small campfire, or glowing charcoal can now have devastating effects.” Therefore, open fire, barbecuing and smoking in the forest are strictly prohibited.