Bundeswehr helicopters battle wildfire in German national park, evacuations continue

Emergency crews are engaged in an ongoing struggle against a significant wildfire within Germany's Müritz National Park. The blaze, situated on land formerly used as a military training area, has consumed an estimated 360 hectares, according to the Mecklenburgische Seenplatte district authorities.

The German armed forces, the Bundeswehr, are providing crucial aerial support. Helicopters have been actively drawing water from several local lakes, including Dambecker See, Granziner See, Käbelicksee, and Priesterbäker See, to combat the flames. The fire, first reported on Monday, has seen approximately 400 emergency personnel working to contain it by Thursday. Strong winds have recently accelerated the fire's spread, primarily in southern and eastern directions.

Authorities have maintained the evacuation order for the Granzin district. The region faces a persistent risk from unexploded ordnance, with an estimated 60,000 hectares of forest in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, about 10% of the total forest area, being contaminated. A significant portion of this, around 28,400 hectares, falls under the highest risk category, which includes armor-piercing ammunition.

Firefighters are hoping for thunderstorms and rain to aid their efforts in extinguishing the blaze. The operation continues with the support of military helicopters assisting in water-dropping efforts.