Open flames of a major wildfire that erupted early this month in eastern Germany have been put out as of Friday, leaving vast forest areas severely scorched.
The wildfire, recorded as the severest in three decades in the region bordering the eastern German states of Saxony and Brandenburg, was temporarily contained thanks to efforts by hundreds of firefighters combined with consecutive days of temperature drops and scattered rainfall.
The blaze broke out near former military training grounds, making the firefighting operation extremely complex and perilous and prompting even the German Bundeswehr to join the containment efforts.
Residents from multiple small towns in this area were evacuated following the wildfire outbreak, and the entire region was closed to all external visitors.
"It was burning everywhere -- from here to there, to other places and then back again. It was truly awful. But we can't see much from here; you'd get a clearer view from above. That's all I can say. I'm just relieved it ended so mercifully," said a local resident.
Saxony is a major agricultural state in eastern Germany, boasting vast farmland. During this season, the wheat fields remain unharvested and weeds in the wild grows tall.
The wildfire engulfed the state's fourth-largest nature reserve, where the densely wooded terrain is highly susceptible to wildfires during periods of hot, dry weather with little rainfall.
According to the head of Saxony's forestry department, the blaze has destroyed large areas of forest, with 86 percent of trees in the affected zone unlikely to survive. Numerous rare plant and animal species have suffered severe habitat destruction.
Since late June, multiple German regions have endured extreme heat and drought. On July 1 and 2, Germany recorded its highest temperatures this year, with some areas nearing 40 degrees Celsius. These conditions triggered the forest fire.
Saxony isn't the only state impacted by these extreme conditions. The heatwave also sparked the most severe wildfire since 1993 in east Germany's state of Thuringia, which prompted a state of emergency.
Wildfire in eastern Germany contained, leaving vast forest destroyed
Wildfire in eastern Germany contained, leaving vast forest destroyed
