Because of a forest fire near Schierke in the Harz National Park, the Brocken plateau and the immediate area around the Brocken have been closed. The fire that broke out on Saturday spread during the night of Sunday and was “not under control,” said the city of Wernigerode. The district administrator of the district of Harz, Thomas Balcerowski (CDU), declared the disaster.
According to the information, 62 hectares were covered by the forest fire by Sunday. Because of the fire, numerous hikers and visitors were brought to safety on the Brocken on Saturday. The fire reportedly broke out in an area that was difficult to access. As the city announced on Sunday, the town of Schierke is not threatened.
A total of 300 emergency services and five helicopters were deployed to fight the fire. Dozens of police officers secured the Brocken area and the access roads. Two firefighting planes from abroad should arrive on Sunday afternoon.
The district assumed extinguishing work lasting several days. Only about three weeks ago there was a fire in the Harz near the Brocken on about 13 hectares. Around 200 firefighters were on duty at the time.
