Wildfire at Brandenburg's Altes Lager halts firefighting over unexploded ordnance risks

A wildfire has broken out on the former military site Altes Lager near Jüterbog in Brandenburg. The blaze began in the early afternoon and has since spread across roughly 2.5 hectares of land. Authorities are responding but face challenges due to the area’s history as a training ground. Firefighters initially deployed around a dozen fire trucks and 25 emergency personnel to tackle the flames. A drone was also used to survey the affected area and assess the situation from above. However, operations were later paused over concerns about unexploded ordnance in the ground.

Residents nearby have been urged to take precautions. Officials advised keeping windows and doors shut and switching off ventilation systems to avoid smoke exposure. The wildfire risk level in the district currently stands at 3 out of 5, classified as 'moderate risk'. With firefighting efforts temporarily halted, a single vehicle will remain on site overnight to monitor the situation. The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.

The blaze continues to burn on the former military land, with safety concerns limiting firefighting work. Local residents are following precautions as crews assess next steps. Authorities will provide updates as the situation develops.