Forest fire in Thuringia: Kronach fire brigade in constant operation!

Forest fire in Thuringia: Kronach fire brigade in constant operation!

Massive forest fires are currently raging on the Saalfelder Höhe in Thuringia, which have been keeping emergency services on their toes since Wednesday, July 6, 2025. Among the helpers are those from the Kronach district who were sent on Thursday evening. At the beginning, 92 fire departments from Kronach were on site. On Friday, the number rose to 211, and the total through Sunday remains uncertain. A total of 130 Kronach helpers were on duty every day, as reported by np-coburg.de.

But the situation is serious, because hundreds of other emergency services are fighting the flames not only in Thuringia, but also on the border between Saxony and Brandenburg. The disaster alert has already been declared, which resulted in the evacuation of several districts. While the situation on the Saalfelder Höhe improved slightly during the night, the fire still remains out of control - a real monster that cannot be tamed. The fire area currently covers around 250 hectares.

Challenges of the fire service

A total of 562 emergency services were already on site early in the morning, which represents an increase of 40 forces compared to the previous evening. Reinforcements are urgently needed: fire engines have been requested from Franconia, and more helpers are expected from Bavaria by Sunday. Support also comes from the air: a police helicopter is on duty every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to fight the fire. This is an attempt to bring the situation under control.

The forest fires in Germany are not just a local phenomenon. In recent years we have seen a worrying increase, particularly due to the extreme drought and hot spells brought about by climate change. A look at historical data shows that Germany is increasingly affected by this natural disaster: in 2023, over 1,200 hectares were destroyed by fires, and in 2022 the number of over 3,000 hectares was the highest in the last 30 years.(statista.com)

The sad reality of forest fires

The dangers posed by such fires are enormous. They not only collect areas, but also living creatures and habitats. Around 138 million hectares of trees were destroyed worldwide from 2001 to 2023. Almost 37,000 forest fires were counted in Brazil in the first half of 2023. The areas bordering Saxony and Brandenburg, where the Gohrischheide is also affected, show a shocking reality: the fire area was initially given as 200 hectares, later corrected to around 1,000 hectares. Over 300 emergency services fought the fire here during the night.

The current forest fires are not just a local problem in Thuringia, but represent a far-reaching phenomenon in Germany that is further exacerbated by climatic changes. With that in mind, we should ask ourselves what we can do to prevent such disasters. Nature responds to our actions, and it is up to us to find a way to restore balance.