The extinguishing work is difficult because the terrain is “challenging”, reports a spokesperson for the emergency services. This weekend extra manpower was deployed from all over the Czech Republic. A total of 750 firefighters help extinguish the flames.
The Bohemian Switzerland National Park borders Germany’s Saxon Switzerland, where a fire is also raging. Six helicopters and five fire-fighting planes were deployed on Sunday after the morning fog had lifted. On the Czech side, eight aid workers have been injured so far. “This shows that we are really entering dangerous territory,” the spokeswoman said. Large parts of the area are closed to the public.
The wildfire broke out a week ago and is believed to be one of the largest in the country’s history. It is believed that human negligence led to the fire.