Lohmen/Benz/Anklam (dpa/mv) - Several field and forest fires in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania caused damage of more than 800,000 euros. As police spokesman in Neubrandenburg and Rostock said on Thursday, there were a number of fire brigade operations near Lohmen (Rostock district), on the island of Usedom and near Anklam. The greatest damage was caused by two fires in the fields near Lohmen, where a tractor with a straw baler burned, and near Benz on Usedom, where a tractor with a trailer also caught fire. There the towering structure of the trailer had come into contact with a high-voltage line. The tractor driver was slightly injured. The electricity supplier had to temporarily switch off the electricity for several communities and thousands of residents and holidaymakers. Around 40 firefighters were on duty, and the damage was estimated at around 400,000 euros.
Damage of around 350,000 euros was incurred near Lohmen when a straw baler and the tractor caught fire. The driver was able to save himself. The flames also spread to 1.5 hectares of stubble but were contained by nearly 50 firefighters.
Other fires were reported near Ziethen near Anklam and in a forest near Iven. Parts of a grain field burned near Ziethen because sparks had been thrown up by falling rocks during harvesting work.
At Iven's, unknown persons set fire to a stack of pine wood. According to the police, the fire had spread to the surrounding forest floor. A major fire at temperatures of around 30 degrees could only be prevented by the rapid intervention of the fire brigade.
After the hot Wednesday, the risk of forest fires in the north-east has increased significantly. According to the state forest institute, the second highest warning level four already exists in the forest offices in Torgelow, with the island of Usedom, Mirow (Mecklenburg Lake District) and in Northwest Mecklenburg.
