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Germany: Wildfire situation 'very tense'

July 26, 2022

Firefighters in Germany are battling blazes in Brandenburg and Saxony after last week's heat wave. Over 700 people have been told to leave the area, with authorities planning further evacuations.

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German firefighters put out a blaze in a forest in the state of Brandenburg
German firefighters are battling blazes in two eastern statesImage: Jan Woitas/dpa/picture alliance

Wildfires in eastern Germany have triggered a "disaster alert" and prompted local officials to plan for evacuations on Tuesday.

The fires come amid extreme dry conditions across Germany and on the heels of a punishing heat wave.

What is the fire situation in Germany?

A blaze in the northeastern state of Brandenburg has created what a fire brigade spokesperson called a "very tense" situation.

More than 150 firefighters are struggling to bring the conflagration covering some 800 hectares under control.

About 600 residents were being evacuated from their homes.

Local forest fire protection officer Philipp Haase said that the fire was particularly hard to contain around the town of Rehfeld owing to strong winds.

He said the military had been called out to aid the firefighters.

Local officials say at least seven emergency personnel have been injured during the operation, with six taken to hospital for treatment.

Smoke rises from a forest fire in Brandenburg, Germany
A forest fire in Brandenburg has spread quickly amid dry conditionsImage: Jan Woitas/dpa/picture alliance

Meanwhile in the eastern state of Saxony, a fire that began in the Czech Republic in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park has spread to the German side of the border. German firefighting units have been called in to help their Czech counterparts douse the flames.

On the German side, the fire is affecting the adjoining region of Saxon Switzerland, where officials have issued a "disaster alert" for the area.

What is the fire situation in the Czech Republic?

The fire in the Czech Republic, covering about 30 hectares (74 acres), broke out at the weekend in the area known as Bohemian Switzerland, destroying houses and forcing authorities to evacuate villages. 

A map showing both Saxon and Bohemian Switzerland
A blaze erupted at the mountainous Saxon Switzerland National Park after fires across the border, at the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, raged over the weekend

Firefighters suspect a campfire that was left unattended may have sparked the blaze.

Smoke has drifted across the country, including to the capital, Prague, located some 130 miles (209 kilometers) away.

The fire, which had been under control, flared up again as the wind direction changed.

Europe on fire

A heat wave last week that saw temperatures rise to above 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) led to wildfires breaking out in many regions of southern Europe.

In Greece, forested areas continue to burn, with officials warning of high fire danger on Tuesday.  A forest fire in the southern part of the island of Lesbos has already destroyed around 1,700 hectares of land.

Brandenburg struggles with recurring drought

tj/rs (dpa, AFP)