The situation with the forest fire in the Saxon Switzerland National Park is getting worse. More and more firefighters and helicopters are deployed. The weather promises support for the weekend.
Bad Schandau (dpa/sn) – The forest fire in the Saxon Switzerland National Park is spreading. Further north of the previous fire area between Großer Winterberg and Großer Zschandbach, the fire crossed the border from Bohemia to Saxon Switzerland, said the spokesman for the district of Saxon Switzerland-Osterzgebirge, Thomas Kunz, on Thursday. “It looks like the situation could get worse, things are getting more tense.”
On Thursday, around 300 emergency services are trying to contain the fire. However, this number will be increased depending on the situation, explained Kunz. Seven fire-fighting helicopters are currently in use, and two helicopters are also doing reconnaissance flights with thermal imaging cameras. According to the information, around 250 hectares of forest are currently on fire.
The fire broke out in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park in the Czech Republic over the weekend and spread to the Saxon Switzerland National Park on Monday. In Bad Schandau in Saxon Switzerland, a disaster alarm has been in effect since Tuesday. Tourists should avoid the area. In the district of Saxon Switzerland-Osterzgebirge, the forests may no longer be entered until further notice.
Meanwhile, Saxony’s Minister of the Interior has emphasized the use of the firefighters and promised any help needed. “The emergency services are fighting beyond the point of exhaustion,” said Armin Schuster (CDU) in Bad Schandau. The location is unique and has never existed before. “The mission demands everything and the Ministry of the Interior will support it to the best of its ability.”
According to Schuster, the first of the three firefighting helicopters ordered will be ready in Saxony next year. He also urged everyone to observe the ban on entering the forests. The interior minister assumes that it will be a long time before the fire is completely extinguished. “I also fear that the rain forecast for Saturday will not be enough.”
The firefighters in the Saxon Switzerland National Park can at least hope for weather support in the coming days. “The wind is decreasing and there is also some rain in the region of the forest fire,” said Florian Engelmann from the German Weather Service (DWD) in Leipzig on request. On Thursday it is therefore almost calm with individual gusts of up to 20 kilometers per hour. On Friday the wind should freshen up a bit, but still at a low level. “In the night to Saturday the wind will turn towards the Czech Republic,” explained Engelmann.
Rainfall is expected for Friday evening. “But these are not extensive. There are localized showers, which cannot be predicted exactly for a region,” explained the meteorologist. Only on Saturday will there be more heavy rainfall in East Saxony with up to 15 liters per square meter. “Only such large-scale shower areas with corresponding amounts can really support the firefighters,” said Engelmann.
“So far, no towns or individual buildings have had to be evacuated. There is no danger to the population,” emphasized Thomas Kunz from the district office concerned. However, there are corresponding concepts that could be implemented quickly.
