B 146 - 2026

Report

The fire departments from Börrstadt, Steinbach, Imsbach, Falkenstein, Münchweiler, Lohnsfeld, and Winnweiler, as well as the tanker truck from the Göllheim Fire Department, were dispatched to a wildfire on the L 401 in the direction of Dreisen, just past Walzhof. The smoke was clearly visible even as they were en route. Upon arrival, it became apparent that a grain field covering an area of approximately 2 hectares was on fire; since the crop had not yet been harvested, the fire spread very quickly. The grassy strip between the road and the field was also on fire.

The fire trucks from the Winnweiler Municipal Association fought the fire in the field using ground spray systems and water cannons in “pump and roll” mode, while the Steinbach fire truck and the Göllheim multi-purpose fire truck extinguished the embankment fire with C- and D-hoses. The firefighting efforts in the field were also supported by ground crews equipped with backpack fire suppressors and fire beaters. As the operation progressed, two farmers used a cultivator and a disc harrow to work the edges of the burned area, preventing the fire from spreading further.

The WLF was also on scene to refuel the tanker fire trucks. In addition, the Lohnsfeld Fire Department set up a water intake point at the Walzhof and established its staging area there. The drone unit provided aerial support using a thermal imaging camera to check the burned area for hot spots, thereby enabling targeted mop-up operations. The on-site standby ambulance was there to ensure the safety of the emergency personnel, but did not need to be deployed.

The L 401 had to be completely closed to traffic at times to allow for the emergency response efforts. In consultation with the owner of the grain field, the burned area was subsequently tilled in its entirety using a disc harrow. The site was then handed back to him.