Forest fire in the Harz: Fire brigade fights flames near Goslar!

Forest fire in the Harz: Fire brigade fights flames near Goslar!

There has been a fire in the Harz near Goslar since Sunday evening, June 23, 2025. A forest fire has broken out near the Grane Dam and has spread rapidly due to the current weather conditions. According to az-online.de, the flames have reached an area of ​​around seven to eight hectares, which is equivalent to around five to six football fields. The exact cause of the fire remains unclear. The strong wind is also bad for the firefighting teams, making it even more difficult to extinguish the fire and pushing the fire front forward.

The fire department now has the right flank of the fire under control, but is still working intensively on the left flank. With over 300 emergency services, various special units and firefighting aircraft – including the “Hexe 1” – are deployed to fight the fire. In addition, tree felling machines (harvesters) will be used to support the fire-fighting work. This is also reported by colleagues from [ndr.de](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/braunschweig_harz_goettingen/waldbrand-im-harz-wärme-er Schwert-loescharbeiter,waldbrand-226.html).

The role of the weather

Weather plays a crucial role in fighting the fire. The weather service has predicted gusts of between 75 and 95 km/h for the region, which further endangers the work. On top of that, the region has been suffering from drought for months - a situation that is unfortunately becoming increasingly common in Germany and is being exacerbated by climate change. Forest fires are not only a threat to flora and fauna, but also a major risk to human health and the environment, as the Statista study shows.

In recent years, Germany has experienced an increasing number of forest fires. Over 1,200 hectares were destroyed by fires in 2023 and the frequency is declining slightly. Nevertheless, Lower Saxony, where the current fire is located, is severely affected. In many regions there is a medium risk of forest fires, and the fire brigade warns urgently about the dangers posed by smoke gases and fallen trees.

Health risks and preparations

So far, no injuries or damage to homes have been reported. However, the surrounding areas were cordoned off to protect passers-by. The warning app “Nina” also sent messages before entering the endangered forest area. The fire department is encouraging the public to avoid the affected area as onlookers are hindering the rescue efforts. The public is informed via official channels of the city of Goslar.

The fire department will probably have to continue extinguishing the fire until at least Wednesday. The efforts of the emergency services are supported by the excellent infrastructure of a nearby mountain refuge, where more than 300 emergency services are supported.

Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether the hoped-for rains can stop the fire. The situation is tense and the fire department is well positioned to meet the challenge.