Quickborn fire department: Red alert – risk of moorland fire increases enormously!

Quickborn fire department: Red alert – risk of moorland fire increases enormously!

In northern Germany the fire may be much worse than it seems. The Quickborner Himmelmoor in the Pinneberg district is particularly affected, where the fire brigade urgently warns of the acute risk of forest fires. Today, July 2, 2025, the upcoming rains will not be enough to avert the impending danger, as press spokesman Thorsten Hintz explains. The region has declared the second highest wildfire danger level, which is causing additional concern for emergency services. According to NDR, fighting moorland fires is particularly challenging.

Where does the danger come from? One problem with moorland fires is inadequate detection in sparsely populated areas. Once the fire has started, layers of peat can also burn underground, making extinguishing work complicated. The Quickborn fire department uses special resources. The emergency services use “fire splashes” to put out the fire because large fire engines cannot drive far into the moor. In some cases, the moor itself even has to be dug up to smother the flames.

A look at the past

But how did the situation surrounding forest and moorland fires in Germany actually develop? A look at the data from the Federal Environment Agency shows that the affected forest areas decreased significantly between 1991 and 2017. Nevertheless, the competitive wildfire risk remains constant or has even increased in some regions. The years 2018 and 2019 in particular brought a drastic increase in forest fires due to extreme heat and drought, with large-scale fires in the northeastern federal states.

The challenges in forest fire prevention and control are increasing. Causes of ignition such as negligent actions and arson exist side by side and flourish, while the spread of fires depends on wind speed and the capacities of the fire department. In 2018, for example, 1,708 forest fires were registered across Germany, which damaged 2,349 hectares of forest. Brandenburg was particularly active with 512 fires alone, which is a stark reminder of the danger that exists here.

The current situation

What exactly does it look like in Quickborner Himmelmoor? Despite all efforts, the situation remains critical. With an amphibious vehicle, Quickborn at least has a special solution for reaching moorland areas that are difficult to access. However, the intensity of the heat and the persistent dryness present firefighters with new challenges every day. The rain forecast for today will not be enough to eliminate the danger.

The fire department and residents are on guard. The firefighters' efforts show that it is crucial to act quickly and plan ahead. Constant training and investments in infrastructure are essential in order to be prepared in an emergency. Because if summer teaches us anything, it's that flames can become dangerous quicker than you think.