Firefighters Battle Relentless Forest Fire in Saxony

A massive wildfire in the Gohrischheide nature reserve, located at the border between Saxony and Brandenburg, has engulfed more than 2,100 hectares of forest land. Firefighting operations, which have been ongoing for several days, remain strained as high winds, extreme heat, and difficult terrain continue to challenge emergency crews. The situation remains serious, with large-scale evacuations and critical infrastructure at risk.

Since the fire broke out earlier this week, over 700 firefighters, police units, Bundeswehr personnel, and technical relief organizations have been deployed. The operation includes more than 130 vehicles and specialized aircraft. At least 180,000 liters of water have been dropped by federal police helicopters in over 100 missions.

Water Supply and Ammunition Risks Complicate Response

The Gohrischheide area, formerly a Soviet military training ground, presents unique challenges. Unexploded ordnance still buried in the ground poses serious hazards to ground teams, making some areas inaccessible. Additionally, reports from local fire brigades confirm that several deep wells in the region have already dried up, limiting access to water for extinguishing efforts.

Despite these difficulties, emergency officials report that critical infrastructure such as Bundeswehr depots and a military barracks remain secure. Protective trenches and cleared buffer zones have been established around these facilities. Armored engineering vehicles from the Bundeswehr have carved out nearly 50 kilometers of firebreaks through the forest to prevent further spread.

Thousands Evacuated as Smoke Reaches Berlin

Evacuation orders remain in place for several areas, including Jacobsthal Bahnhof and Heidehäuser in the district of Meißen. Around 150 residents have been displaced, some of whom were allowed brief access to their homes under police escort to retrieve essential items. In neighboring Brandenburg, authorities remain on alert as shifting winds threaten to carry the fire across state borders.

Smoke from the wildfire has now spread far beyond the immediate area. Residents in Berlin, Potsdam, and surrounding regions have reported strong smoke odors. Emergency alerts were issued across several Brandenburg districts, including Dahme-Spreewald and Teltow-Fläming, warning residents to close windows and disable ventilation systems due to health risks posed by smoke exposure.

Disruptions to Rail Services and Rural Communities

The fire has disrupted train services near the affected areas. One incident near Cologne saw a regional train stranded for hours due to a separate embankment fire, with around 340 passengers evacuated after both a technical failure and a medical emergency. Meanwhile, in Saxony, flames reached dangerously close to railway lines in the Gohrischheide area. Fire barriers formed by the tracks helped limit the spread, but officials remain cautious.

In addition to infrastructure risks, rural communities across the region have been severely impacted. Farmers have joined firefighting efforts, providing water transport vehicles and helping to fill emergency reservoirs. In Lichtensee, firefighters recently succeeded in protecting a biogas facility after prolonged effort.

Wind, Heat, and Limited Rain Hamper Containment

Weather conditions have remained unfavorable throughout the operation. High temperatures and shifting winds have repeatedly reignited fire lines and pushed the flames in unpredictable directions. While rainfall was initially forecast for Monday and Tuesday, meteorologists warn that it may miss the affected region entirely or arrive as localized thunderstorms, which could worsen the situation due to strong gusts.

Authorities are concerned that dry thunderstorms might spread the fire further instead of helping extinguish it. For now, responders remain focused on containment strategies, including soaking key areas, clearing vegetation, and maintaining firebreaks along roads, settlements, and military installations.

Gohrischheide Nearly Entirely Burned

According to Meißen district administrator Ralf Hänsel, satellite data and on-site reports confirm that roughly 75 percent of the Gohrischheide area has been affected by the fire. The entire reserve spans approximately 2,800 hectares, and more than 2,100 hectares are now considered damaged or destroyed.

Hänsel stated that while this scale of destruction is severe, it also means that some of the most vulnerable parts of the forest have already burned and are no longer flammable. Authorities are now concentrating efforts on protecting residential zones, including Jacobsthal and military infrastructure, where fire intensity remains high.

Nationwide Coordination and Resource Support

The scale of the wildfire has prompted cross-regional coordination. Reinforcements from Saxony-Anhalt, including a specialized vegetation firefighting unit, arrived over the weekend. Support also came from Vogtlandkreis, where firefighters provided large-capacity water tankers and manpower to help stabilize the situation in Meißen.

Meanwhile, Brandenburg’s emergency services have taken charge of coordinating aerial operations, managing airspace for helicopters from the Bundespolizei and Bundeswehr. Several new fires in Brandenburg were also reported on Saturday, putting further pressure on emergency resources.

Criticism Over Preparedness and Equipment

The German Firefighters Association has criticized the government’s readiness for such large-scale wildfires, arguing that existing infrastructure and technology are inadequate. In response, the Saxon Interior Ministry highlighted its investment of over 10 million euros in specialized equipment and vehicles over the past two years.

While the state has ruled out purchasing fire-fighting tanks, citing high maintenance costs and limited effectiveness in forest terrain, it confirmed that more investments are planned in advanced tools like fire suppression robots and all-terrain vehicles. For now, priority remains on strengthening mobile firefighting units at the district level.

Exhaustion and Determination on the Frontlines

Reports from Freital’s fire brigade underline the physical and emotional toll on personnel. Firefighters have operated with minimal rest, often taking only brief pauses to refill water tanks. Several crews have chosen to stay near the frontlines overnight rather than return home. Despite exhaustion, the focus remains on holding the line and preventing further devastation.

Authorities remain hopeful that conditions will stabilize, but they are preparing for an extended operation. The full containment of the Gohrischheide wildfire is expected to take several more days, possibly weeks, depending on weather conditions and resource availability.