German firefighters are battling a forest fire that broke out in the Harz Mountains on Friday. Around 500 people have been evacuated from the area at risk. Firefighting operations from the ground and in the air are being hampered by gusty winds.
Early Friday afternoon, a forest fire broke out in the Koenigsberg peak area in the Harz Mountains in central Germany. The situation was so dangerous that around 500 tourists had to be evacuated from the fire-threatened area. This was done by bus.
“Only rain can help us at this moment”
On Saturday, the fire was still not under control. About 250 firefighters were battling the fire. Four planes and two helicopters were also involved in the operation. However, strong winds made the operation difficult. Gusts reached speeds of 25-50 kilometers per hour.
Over the past 24 hours, eight independent fire hotbeds have merged into a single front stretching for one kilometre.
– Only rain can help us at the moment, said Kai-Uwe Lohse, commander of the Harz district fire department.
According to forecasts, rainfall is not expected until Sunday evening at the earliest, but is more likely on Monday. Fighting the fire could take several days.
According to German media, police are investigating the cause of the fire, but arson is not being ruled out.
mz.de, ndr.de, tvnmeteo.pl
Main image source: ENEX