Major disaster declared
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Forest fire broke out in the Lieberoser Heide
A forest fire has broken out in the ammunition-loaded Lieberoser Heide. The fire quickly spread, and a major disaster situation has now been declared. Now more emergency services are requested.
There has been a fire in the Lieberoser Heide in Lower Lusatia since late Monday morning. The fire initially spread quickly because of the wind. The Brandenburg forest fire protection officer, Raimund Engel, confirmed this to rbb.
According to the district fire chief of Dahme-Spreewald, Christian Liebe, almost 100 people are currently involved in the extinguishing work. In the meantime, two fire-fighting helicopters from the federal police are in use. There are different information about the extent of the affected area, Engel spoke of ten hectares, locally there is talk of six hectares.
So far there are no threats of evacuation
According to Raimund Engels, the fire is not near a residential area. He therefore does not assume that there will be evacuations. The closest town is Butzen, part of the municipality of Spreewaldheide, with almost 200 inhabitants.
Since 1:30 p.m., the fire has been considered a major damage situation, according to the responsible district of Dahme-Spreewald. In the district, as in Teltow-Fläming and Elbe-Elster, the second highest forest fire danger level is four.
Last fire in 2019 in the Lieberoser Heide
In recent years there have been repeated fires in the Lieberoser Heide, for the last time in 2019.
Firefighting work in this area is difficult because it is a former military training area and the area is still contaminated with ammunition today.
Brandenburg has the largest proportion of munitions contaminated areas in Germany. There are conversion areas – areas that are burdened by the withdrawal of Russian troops – as well as areas that were once used for military purposes. Ordnance from the Second World War is still suspected on 350,000 hectares.
Broadcast: Antenne Brandenburg, July 4th, 2022, 1.30 p.m