Fire Department Operation: Forest Fire on Old Military Training Ground Spreads

dpa reports on a significant wildfire that has erupted on the 'Altes Lager' former military training ground near Jüterbog, south of Berlin. The blaze, which has expanded to cover around 26 hectares (over 35 football fields), presents a unique and dangerous challenge for emergency services.

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Smoke clouds are rising: A forest fire on the former military training ground 'Altes Lager' near Jüterbog is spreading.

The critical issue is the presence of unexploded ordnance (UXO) scattered across the site from its time as a military training area. This contamination prevents firefighters from directly tackling the flames on the ground, forcing them to rely on aerial observation via drones and monitor the fire's spread from a safe distance.

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The wildfire on a former military training ground in Jüterbog has spread to approximately 26 hectares.

While the mayor, Christiane Lindner-Klopsch, has urged calm, stating there is 'no reason to panic' and that authorities 'can deal with it,' the situation is undeniably serious. The fire is contained within designated firebreaks, but the strong, gusting winds pose a significant risk of exacerbating the blaze and potentially spreading it further.

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There is no reason to panic. We can deal with it.

For the local communities in the Teltow-Fläming district, this is a recurring problem. Fires on this former military site have occurred frequently in the past, sometimes affecting hundreds of hectares. The current incident, while not yet on that scale, highlights the persistent danger posed by these contaminated sites. The inability of firefighters to directly intervene underscores the long-term environmental and safety legacy of military activities, a concern that resonates particularly in areas with a history of such training grounds.

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Firefighters cannot enter the area due to the ammunition contamination.