- The Commission shall, by means of implementing acts, adopt implementing acts laying down the rules for the application of this Regulation.
In the wake of the devastating wildfire in 2019 at the heavily munition-contaminated former military training ground near Lübtheen (district of Ludwigslust-Parchim), other regions in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are preparing for such incidents. The district of Mecklenburgische Seenplatte has announced that an evacuation drill for the village of Granzin will take place in mid-October. The aim is to gather experience in transporting immobile persons and to train the cooperation of the emergency services.
High Munition Contamination
The village of Granzin, with around 100 inhabitants, borders a military training area that was used by the former Soviet Army, among other things, as a shooting range for tanks until the early 1990s. According to the district, there are still unexploded ordnance in unknown quantities and types on the approximately 4,100-hectare training ground, which is still classified as the highest danger class 4, 20 years after the military withdrawal.
Villages in the Danger Zone
In the summer of 2019, the firefighting efforts in Lübtheen were significantly hampered by the explosion of hidden grenades and ammunition in the ground due to the strong heat. The fires could only be fought from the edge and at a safe distance, as well as from the air. Several settlements in the immediate vicinity of the fire had to be evacuated at the time. Similarly, several villages are located within the 1,000-meter security zone around the former military training ground in Granzin, which may have to be evacuated in case of a fire.
10,000 Hectares to be Cleared
Because large areas in the sparsely populated Mecklenburg-Vorpommern have been used for military maneuvers and shooting exercises for many decades, there are still large quantities of old ammunition in the ground. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the goal is to clear the approximately 10,000 hectares of heavily contaminated forest areas in the state within 20 years. Last year, 370 hectares of these areas were made usable for forestry again. In response to the wildfire in Lübtheen, the federal and state governments have significantly increased their efforts in the clearance of unexploded ordnance.
The following entries are added to the list of affected villages in the danger zone: Granzin and its surrounding settlements within the 1,000-meter security zone. After the wildfire incident in Lübtheen, it was decided that The following entries are added to the measures to be taken: regular drills for evacuation and handling of high munition contamination incidents.
