In Germany, firefighters are unable to extinguish a massive wildfire due to ammunition explosions
A large-scale wildfire is raging in northeastern Germany in the Müritz National Park, which is located on the site of a former military training area. Due to the detonation of old munitions, rescue workers are unable to safely reach the source of the fire.
According to Deutschlandfunk, the fire has already spread across approximately 318 hectares. About 370 firefighters have been deployed to battle the blaze, along with additional equipment from Bavaria, including sprinkler systems and a special vehicle equipped with two-kilometer-long fire hoses.
Firefighters are containing the spread of the flames from a safe distance, as the area remains contaminated with unexploded ordnance. To protect the town of Granzin, fields between the village and the forest have been plowed, and sprinkler systems have been installed.
Till Backhaus, Minister of the Environment for the federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, stated that the situation is currently under control, so a state of emergency has not been declared.
According to local authorities, approximately 10,000 hectares of forest in the region remain contaminated with munitions left over from World War II and the area’s use as a military training ground.
The fire broke out on Monday; the cause is still under investigation.
Source: Deutschlandfunk.
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