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Twin Forest Fires in Sauerland Stretch Crews as Helicopters Battle Hillside Flames

Dry winds over steep slopes are slowing containment.

Overview

  • Firefighters are tackling two active blazes in Attendorn and Werdohl that have burned about 20,000 and 8,000 square meters of forest.
  • Attendorn crews report shifting winds that keep reigniting hot spots, and the fire there is not yet under control.
  • Helicopters are lifting water from the Biggesee near the Waldenburger Bucht as tankers shuttle supplies to higher ground.
  • Werdohl teams face steep, rough terrain with wind pushing flames uphill, and one responder collapsed and received medical care.
  • Authorities issued smoke alerts through the NINA app, restricted access near water pickup points, and cited recent dry weather that pushed the forest-fire risk to level 3 out of 5 while the causes remain unknown.