Disaster Declaration Follows German Wildfire



News

Declaration allows help from outside the region

In this Sept. 18, 2018 file photo a fire engine stands at a German army training site near Meppen, Germany. Authorities in the Emsland region said Friday that they are considering ordering the evacuation of about 1,000 people from two villages near Meppen, close to the Dutch border.(Stephan Konjer/dpa via AP)

BERLIN (AP) — Officials in northwestern Germany are declaring a disaster over a wildfire triggered two weeks ago by a rocket test on an army training site.

Authorities in the Emsland region said Friday that they are considering ordering the evacuation of about 1,000 people from two villages near Meppen, close to the Dutch border.

Firefighters have been struggling to contain the blaze on moorland used by the German army for training exercises. Smoke has spread over 100 kilometers (62 miles) and is visible on satellite images.

By declaring a disaster, local authorities can request forces from outside the region.

Defense Ministry spokesman Jens Flosdorff said the situation was “very serious” and apologized for any mistakes made. He said German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen planned to visit the site Saturday.

Topics

Recent

Quebec Orders More Evacuations as Dozens of Wildfires in Canada Remain Out of Control June 7, 2023
Two Insurance Giants Stop Insuring CA Homes Over Wildland Fire Risk June 6, 2023
Wildland Fire in One Canadian Province Contained, While Another Burns Out of Control June 5, 2023
NJ Wildfire Remains at 5k Acres as Firefighters Make Little Progress Overnight June 2, 2023
Cowboy Communications June 1, 2023

“

Declaration allows help from outside the region BERLIN (AP) — Officials in northwestern Germany are declaring a disaster over a wildfire triggered two weeks ago by a rocket test on an army training site. Authorities in the Emsland region said Friday that they are considering ordering the evacuation of about 1,000 people from […]



Get The Wildland Firefighter Newsletter

Subscribe Today

Cowboy Communications

I’ve written and told a lot of stories about leadership in the fire service. What good leadership looks like and how to be a good leader, I’ve talked about it a lot. Episode #90 at BobbieOnFire.com is all about an important lesson from the Dude, South Canyon and...

Wildfire on Canada’s Atlantic Coast Spurs Evacuation of 16,000

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) — A wildfire on Canada’s Atlantic coast has damaged about 200 houses and other structures and prompted the evacuation of 16,000 people, many of whom were eager to return Tuesday to see whether homes and pets had survived. Firefighters worked...

Judge Shoots Down Environmentalists’ Efforts to Stop Forest Service Dropping Wildfire Retardant

Gillian Brassil McClatchy Washington Bureau (TNS) A federal judge said the United States Forest Service can continue using aerial retardant to fight wildfires while it seeks a permit under the act that governs water pollution. The judge also acknowledged in his ruling...

« Older Entries

Next Entries »

← Previous Next →

News

Declaration allows help from outside the region