Last summer, the last time there was a fire on the Brocken: At that time, firefighting planes from Italy helped. © Matthias Bein/dpa/picture alliance
A forest fire broke out on the Brocken on Sunday afternoon. Three firefighting aircraft are in use. Holidaymakers are brought to safety.
Schierke – Fire on the Brocken in the Harz Mountains! The forest near the village of Schierke has been burning since Sunday afternoon. The fire is said to have ignited below the Nebelkuppe at an old fire site. Changing winds spread the flames quickly. Around two hectares of forest burned, according to information from the German Press Agency.
Forest fire on the Brocken: Holidaymakers will be brought to safety – trains do not run
About 100 people had to be taken from the Brocken. Numerous holidaymakers are on the road in the Harz Mountains. Tourists who were in the vicinity of the fire were evacuated, said a spokeswoman for the city of Wernigerode. "People were evacuated by buses so that they could get off the mountain safely. Rail traffic has been suspended because the rails can also pose a danger."
With 120 firefighters, the fire brigade is fighting the fire. For the time being to no avail, the flames were out of control. Around 19 p.m., however, the district of Harz reported success, as reported by MDR. The use of a firefighting aircraft and a helicopter had had an effect.
Two firefighting aircraft and helicopters in action in the Harz Mountains: Machine previously flew near Jüterbog
In the meantime, a second firefighting aircraft from Lower Saxony also helped to fight the fire. So a total of three machines were in the air. The mission will probably last until sunset.
The firefighting aircraft of the fire brigade from the Harz district is the same machine that was previously used in the forest fire near Jüterbog in Brandenburg. According to MDR information, she was recalled on Saturday. There is a high risk of forest fires in Saxony-Anhalt, danger level 5 applies to the entire eastern half of the state. Throughout Germany, the danger is high. In Bavaria, among other places, there is extreme weather, which increases the risk of forest fires. (moe)
