Forest Fire in Müritz National Park: Granzin Evacuated Again, Fire Threatens Villages

Situation in Granzin

The town of Granzin, with just under 400 residents, was evacuated again as it had been on Monday. By Tuesday evening, the fire had advanced to approximately 1.4 km from the town, according to the operations command. „Die Bewohner von Granzin - im Süden des Brandgebiets - müssen erneut ihre Häuser verlassen". However, the district administration asked residents to remain in their alternative accommodations if possible. The community center in nearby Peckatel is once again serving as an emergency shelter.

According to the authorities, the firefighting operations are particularly difficult. „Besonders schwierig sind die Löscharbeiten, weil das Brandgebiet mit Munition belastet ist. Deshalb können die Einsatzkräfte nicht überall arbeiten". As a result, emergency personnel cannot work everywhere and must avoid certain areas. To further contain the fire, so-called firebreaks have been expanded.

Difficult Firefighting Operations

„Ein Harvester bewässerte den Wald rund um den Ort, um ein Übergreifen der Flammen zu verhindern". This technical measure aims to deliberately moisten the ground around Speck and prevent the fire from spreading toward residential areas. The plume of smoke was visible from several kilometers away, underscoring the scale of the blaze.

Since late morning, approximately 200 emergency personnel had been continuing to battle the forest fire in the Müritz National Park. By evening, that number had risen to approximately 340, according to the operations command. „Hilfe kam dann auch aus Rostock und aus Vorpommern-Rügen". „Aus anderen Landkreisen war noch am Abend Verstärkung eingetroffen, darunter zum Beispiel ein Spezialfahrzeug von Rügen für die Bekämpfung von Waldbränden". The THW (Federal Agency for Technical Relief) is also on site.

Major Rescue Operation

„Landrat Müller geht davon aus, dass der Brand die Einsatzkräfte noch bis Ende der Woche beschäftigen wird". This assessment highlights the expected duration of the operation. The Mecklenburgische Seenplatte district has set up a citizen hotline for those affected and residents at the number (0395) 57087 - 8230, or with the suffixes -8070 or -8190.

The fire apparently started near the observation tower on Käflingsberg. Within a few hours, it spread from an initial area of approximately 2,000 square meters to 24 hectares. By Tuesday evening, the affected area had grown to more than 90 hectares. The district is expressly warning against entering the national park.

On Monday evening, however, the situation calmed somewhat due to easing winds, to the extent that residents were initially permitted to return to their homes. But the respite was short-lived: On Monday evening, Granzin was fully evacuated. The towns of Krienke and Speck were also to be cleared. The dynamics of the fire have made it necessary to evacuate again residents who had previously been allowed to return.

The authorities are preparing for the possibility that emergency personnel will remain deployed until the end of the week. The combination of ammunition-contaminated ground, shifting wind directions, and the spread toward inhabited areas poses particular challenges for the operations command. Firebreaks equipped with irrigation systems are a key element in preventing further expansion of the blaze.