Overview
- The wildfire that broke out in early May on Saurüsselkopf has left deep-seated hotspots that are still being extinguished nearly three weeks later.
- Police conduct regular thermal flights and state forestry foot teams use handheld thermal cameras to locate and target remaining glows.
- Temperatures in deeper soil layers can reach about 125 degrees Celsius and glows can sit more than a meter down inside root networks, creating a lasting risk of re-ignition.
- Local officials have kept the area closed and raised the forest-fire alert to Waldbrandstufe 4 for the coming weekend, urging people to avoid open fires, smoking and campfires.
- Hundreds of responders and helicopters fought the initial blaze in the steep terrain, the cause remains unconfirmed, and authorities warn prolonged monitoring will be needed to prevent renewed outbreaks.