Forest fires: Spread of forest fire prevented overnight

Emergency services were able to prevent the widespread forest fire on the Saalfelder Höhe from spreading overnight. "We have maintained the situation as it was yesterday," reported district office spokesperson Peter Lahann. Extinguishing efforts will now intensify during the day. A third helicopter is expected to be deployed. Around 500 firefighters are currently deployed.

The water supply had to be improved during the night. Given the magnitude of the fire, enormous amounts were consumed, Lahann said. Adjustments were unavoidable.

In addition to helicopters from the state and federal police, a third helicopter from Bavaria will be deployed today. This helicopter had originally planned a firefighting exercise on Saturday – but now it will be a real operation, Lahann said. The helicopters will primarily extinguish fires on slopes, which have previously caused major problems for firefighters.

The forest fire is considered one of the largest in Thuringia in at least 30 years. The fire broke out on Wednesday near the Saalfeld district of Gösselsdorf for an as yet unknown reason and eventually spread to an area of ​​at least 250 hectares. A state of emergency has been declared.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:250705-930-760445/1