The fight against the forest fire on the Brocken continues. Helicopters are in use again. What is known about the cause of the fire?
Wernigerode – The Harz district fire chief Kai-Uwe Lohse believes it is possible that the fire on the Brocken was deliberately set. “Arson cannot be ruled out,” Lohse told the German Press Agency. He pointed out that the fire broke out simultaneously in several places on Friday.
When asked, the police said that an investigation into the fire had been launched. However, more detailed information on the cause of the fire would only be available once the scene of the fire could be examined, they said.
Firefighting operations began again early this morning. According to the Harz district, four firefighting helicopters are currently in the air. In addition, several helicopters from the Federal Police and the German Armed Forces are supporting the operation. Around 150 emergency personnel have been working on the ground since 8 a.m.
The aim is to extinguish the fire on Sunday to such an extent that only follow-up extinguishing work is necessary, said Lohse. On Saturday evening, the emergency services managed to prevent the fire from spreading.
The fire broke out on Friday on the Königsberg, a side peak of the Brocken, and spread over a length of around 1,000 meters. The area is currently closed to tourists. dpa
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