- Jüterbog forest blaze expands, attracting Baerbock's presence.
The fire in the forest close to Jüterbog has grown further. Around 67 acres are now under its grasp, as a fire department spokesperson reported. Previously, on Thursday evening, it was only 51 acres. In the battle against the inferno, a firefighting helicopter and two fire trucks were in the air, while a total of 32 emergency service personnel were on the ground, according to the fire department.
No cause for alarm yet, as per Brandenburg's forest fire protection officer Raimund Engel. He stated that the fire is "far from alarming". Neither settlements nor infrastructure are situated nearby.
"The fire could still spread up to the control lines", Engel noted. Control lines are extensive paths and clearings that the fire department can access, enabling them to contain the fire. As per the fire department, the flames haven't reached the fire protection lines yet.
Engel believes it's unlikely that the fire will surge over these control lines. Wide clearings usually make up these lines. At spots where they're not so wide, every measure will be taken to prevent a breakout. "I'm hopeful", Engel said.
Baerbock at the scene
Germany's Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Annalena Baerbock (Greens), attended a previously scheduled meeting nearby. She was shown areas affected by a forest fire in 2019, which are gradually recovering. Regarding the aftermath of forest fires and the current one, Baerbock suggested that the conditions for managing the fires also constitute a matter of national security.
"We require more funding for all security areas", Baerbock asserted. This includes combatting forest fires as well. The issue of forest firefighting is, according to the minister, "just one example of how we need to reconsider our national security priorities".
The federal government's national security strategy encompasses "protection of our natural living conditions". Extreme flooding, climate change impacts, and forest fires also pose threats to internal security, Baerbock explained. This implies that the necessary skills and resources for dealing with these challenges should be made available. However, the matter of financing in tight budget situations remains a major concern.
The fire's relentless spread could potentially reach the control lines, as noted by Forest Fire Protection Officer Raimund Engel. Despite this, the current fire is "far from alarming" and does not pose a threat to nearby settlements or infrastructure.
