“Forest Fires Break Out in Brandenburg: Smoke Reduces Visibility on Freeway”

In Kleinmachnow near Berlin, the forest burned on Whit Monday. The smoke reduced visibility on the nearby freeway.

Several smaller forest fires broke out in Brandenburg at Pentecost. A large burning pile of wood triggered a forest fire near Kleinmachnow in the Potsdam-Mittelmark district near Berlin. The burning area is between 100 and 200 square meters, said Brandenburg’s forest fire protection officer Raimund Engel on Monday of the German Press Agency. Because of the proximity to the 115 motorway, the fire brigade warned of possible visual impairment. According to the RBB, the fire was under control again around 11:30 a.m.

According to the forest fire protection officer, forest fires also broke out on Monday in Lindow in the Ostprignitz-Ruppin district and in Finsterwalde in the Elbe-Elster district. A fire in Jämlitz in the Spree-Neiße district on the border with Saxony in an area of ​​around 200 square meters has already been extinguished.

According to Engel, there have been 56 fires in the country since the wildfire season began in early March. “It’s still subdued,” he said. Last year there were 142 forest fires at the end of May. Brandenburg was very lucky with the relatively cool spring.

The German Weather Service predicts a high risk of forest fires for most locations in Brandenburg on Wednesday. “With every day that the drought lasts longer, the situation is definitely not getting better,” said Engel.

The risk of forest fires in Brandenburg had decreased somewhat on Whit Monday compared to Sunday. According to the Ministry of the Environment, the second highest danger level, which indicates a high risk, only applied in the districts of Teltow-Fläming, Dahme-Spreewald and Elbe-Elster. The rest of the country was at moderate risk. The cumulus clouds have led to higher humidity, said Engel. “The humidity makes a big difference.”

The Brandenburg Ministry of the Environment indicates the risk of a forest fire breaking out in five stages in order to sensitize the population. The German Weather Service provides the data. Air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, precipitation rate and radiation of the atmosphere are included in the calculation. According to the state forestry agency, Brandenburg is the state with the highest risk of forest fires nationwide with extensive pine forests, little rainfall and light sandy soil.