Wülknitz/Pirna (dpa/sn) - According to the state forest administration, the fire in the Gohrischheide nature reserve and Elbniederterrasse Zeithain is the largest forest fire in Saxony for 30 years. In May 1992, around 1000 hectares of forest near Weißwasser (Görlitz district) were on fire, as the state-owned Sachsenforst announced on Friday when State Forest President Utz Hempfling visited the site of the fire.
Hempfling thanked employees and volunteers "for their tireless efforts". This prevented further damage, especially to humans. Since only little rain has hit the region so far, there is still a risk of flames and embers, which have to be guarded around the clock.
Sachsenforst's protection area guards helped with the fire-fighting work on the former military training area, which was difficult due to the ammunition load. She steered the emergency services to the few safe routes cleared of ammunition and ordered armored special tractors from North Rhine-Westphalia. The machine can also drive on areas contaminated with ammunition and extinguish nests of fire and embers.
According to Sachsenforst, state forest areas in particular are affected in Saxony, but private and federal forests are also affected. Bundeswehr clearance machines created vegetation-free protective strips to prevent the spread of flames.
In special protection zones, where natural processes should run completely undisturbed, a forest fire can be viewed "as part of the natural dynamics," said Hempfling. New pioneer plant and animal communities would emerge on the burned soils, which are preserved as rare and valuable.
