Firefighting water is sprayed into the treetops of a forest in the Lieberoser Heide (archive photo) Photo: picture alliance
From BZ/dpa
A forest fire has broken out in the Lieberoser Heide. According to the Brandenburg forest fire protection officer Raimund Engel on Monday, the fire blazes in an area of about ten hectares.
The fire brigade is trying to contain the fire with a large contingent. The work is made more difficult because the area is contaminated with explosive ordnance.
A Russian tank shell lies on the burnt forest floor in the Lieberoser Heide (archive photo) Photo: picture alliance
A firefighting helicopter had been requested for support. A police helicopter flies over the area with a thermal imaging camera to reconnoiter the situation.
At the end of June 2019, a fire raged on 100 hectares of the former military training area in the Lieberoser Heide. The risk of fires there remains high given the severe drought and current temperatures.
Brandenburg has the largest proportion of munitions contaminated areas in Germany. There are conversion areas – areas that are burdened by the withdrawal of Russian troops – as well as areas that were once used for military purposes. Ordnance from the Second World War is still suspected on 350,000 hectares.
Police investigate after forest fire
After another forest fire near the Saxony-Brandenburg border, the police are investigating arson. On Sunday, a fire spread over about 1.5 hectares near Arzberg, the police said on Monday. Volunteer fire brigades from Saxony and Brandenburg could have prevented further spread. According to the fire department, self-ignition is unlikely. That’s why arson is now suspected. The extent of the damage was still unclear.
