Wildfires in Bohemia Switzerland National Park Rage On

Hundreds of firefighters are continuing their efforts to tackle a wildfire that has been burning in the Czech Republic’s Bohemia Switzerland National Park for a week. So far around 1100 hectares have been destroyed.

Some 700 emergency service workers are on the scene, including Swedish firefighters who arrived in the Czech Republic on Friday to help using firefighting aircraft. Slovakia, Poland and Italy have also been assisting.

A firefighter was seriously injured while working at the fire on Saturday afternoon after he fell off a cliff. A helicopter transported him to the hospital. He is not in life-threatening danger. Two other firefighters were also injured the same day and taken to seek medical attention.

According to Martina Gotzová, the spokesperson for the Hradec Kralove region’s fire brigade, they have deployed all the aviation equipment they have to tackle the fires. This includes six helicopters and five aeroplanes.

However, there is some optimism. A few areas have been given the all clear and the 500 people who had to evacuate Vysoká Lípa have been allowed to return. The local fire brigade is also making progress in reducing the blazes.

In Germany’s nearby Saxon Switzerland natural reserve, authorities are also dealing with fires. Numerous new sources were reported on Sunday.

In Bernsdorf, in Upper Lusatia, police are investigating whether a fire in a forest, that has now been extinguished, may be arson.

The fire was one of the most extensive of its kind seen in Czechia and smoke from it could be smelled in many parts of the country.

Human carelessness is considered the most likely cause.

Three tourists attempted to reach the famous Pravčíce Gate in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park in North Bohemia – the Czech police said on Sunday.

They said they had cautioned two men and a woman who had tried to visit the sandstone bridge structure, adding that the three had lit a fire in the forest.

The police have repeatedly warned the public to stay away from the area. Fines of up to CZK 100,000 may be imposed for breach of such orders.