Harz: forest fire on the Brocken - helicopter in the extinguishing operation

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Forest fire in the Harz Mountains: Helicopters in action

Photo: Harz police station / dpa

The fire brigade is fighting a new forest fire in the Harz mountains.

An area of ​​​​about five hectares in the Trecktal in the Upper Harz on the Brocken is affected, said a spokesman for the integrated control center Harz.

That corresponds to a size of about seven football fields.

It is not yet clear why the fire broke out after midnight.

It's not the first fire this year.

According to a spokesman for the Harz district, eleven emergency vehicles from the fire brigade are on site.

A police helicopter circled over the fire and extinguished it from the air, as shown by pictures from the Blankenburg fire brigade, among other things.

Flames could also be seen between trees.

The emergency services initially had difficulties: “Due to the poor accessibility by car, the fire could only be contained and stopped along a narrow path,” said the fire brigade.

A firebreak was cut to stop the fire.

The road between Elbingerode and Heimburg was closed because of the fire.

Traffic has been diverted.

The second highest forest fire warning level has been in effect in the Harz district since Friday.

There had already been several fires in the Harz Mountains in the spring.

At the end of April there was a major fire brigade operation on the Brocken in the Harz National Park.

In recent years, the forests there have repeatedly been affected by bark beetle infestations, drought and storms.

wit/dpa