A forest fire is currently spreading in Treuenbrietzen, southwest of Berlin. The emergency services are not only dealing with the increasing wind, but also with the situation. Because it is a former blasting and training area, the firefighters cannot get close to the fire.
If the fire goes through the area, the ammunition hidden in the ground can explode. Self ignition is also possible. If the emergency services drove straight into the forest area and extinguish it, they would put their lives in danger. According to the newspaper “Bild”, the site was never cleared of explosives for cost reasons.
helicopter in action
To support the firefighters, the Bundeswehr therefore sent helicopters to assist with the extinguishing activities from the air. These get water from a nearby lake, which they throw on the property. According to the Air Force, more than 23 such flights have been conducted so far, yielding a total of 115,000 liters of water.
About 100 to 110 hectares are said to have been affected by the forest fire. “A helicopter has measured the area (…). The fire has spread to the east/southeast,” said a fire service spokesman. At least the flames are less strong now. The fire broke out on Friday over an area of about 60 hectares, Saturday it was now about 40 hectares.
Residents left homes
The city council of Treuenbrietzen announced on Sunday morning that residents of neighboring homes have been asked to leave the building immediately because of the smoke development. The Stadthalle serves as an emergency shelter. So far, the districts of Tiefenbrunnen, Frohnsdorf and Klausdorf have been affected. For the time being, there was still talk of “20 residents of a neighbourhood”. They are only allowed to bring the necessary things, such as identity cards and cash.
Wind gusts and wind expected
The firefighting continued on Sunday afternoon. It probably won’t get any easier, because according to the weather forecast there are wind gusts and gusts on the way.
About 7,500 people live in Treuenbrietzen. The small town is located southwest of Berlin and covers an area of more than 200 square kilometers. Just four years ago, about 400 hectares of forest were destroyed by a fire. At that point, the flames raged for several days.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
