A wildfire in Müritz National Park in north-eastern Germany has spread to around 388 hectares, with some 370 firefighters, police officers, forestry workers and soldiers now deployed, a spokesman for the Mecklenburg Lake District said.
The fire had spread because there had been no rain so far, the spokesman said on Saturday. Westerly winds were further fanning the flames, he said, and the blaze could spread eastward and south-eastward over the weekend due to the wind.
The fire was reported on Monday. Several villages have been evacuated on multiple occasions. Firefighting efforts have been complicated because a former military training ground located in the fire zone is contaminated with unexploded ordnance.
Helicopters from the armed forces, or Bundeswehr, are expected to assist with firefighting efforts again until the afternoon, provided there are no thunderstorms.
Firefighters are tackling the blaze in the eastern section of the fire zone, which is said to be free of unexploded ordnance and therefore accessible to emergency personnel. Emergency crews are being rotated at regular intervals.
Forestry workers are helping to keep access routes clear. Holiday-makers are advised to continue giving the area a wide berth.
