On Saturday morning, two pilots from the Flugschule Danker spotted smoke rising from the Bundeswehr’s training grounds near Meppen and alerted emergency services — a routine vigilance that turned critical as flames spread across 15 to 20 hectares of peatland by midday.
By noon, the fire had grown significantly, fueled by dry vegetation and a persistent west wind, according to emergency responders. Investigators later determined the likely cause: three forestry workers cutting a bolt on a hunting stand with an angle grinder, whose sparks ignited the dry surface vegetation. The blaze prompted a rapid deployment of around 50 firefighters, including units from the Bundeswehr’s base fire service and the volunteer fire department of Klein Berßen, who deployed firefighting tanks and recovery vehicles to contain the spread.
Despite the challenging terrain and flammable subsoil, coordinated efforts brought the fire under control by evening. By 6:00 p.m., authorities confirmed the fire was fully extinguished, with no risk of further spread. No injuries were reported, though damage to the peatland and several trees was confirmed, with the full extent still under assessment.
This incident echoes a troubling pattern: in 2018, a similar peat fire ignited during a rocket exercise on the same grounds burned for nearly two months, straining regional resources and drawing national attention. The recurrence raises questions about land management practices on active military training sites, particularly where peat soils — known for their high carbon content and susceptibility to smoldering burns — intersect with routine operations involving heat-generating tools or live exercises.
Although the Bundeswehr’s on-site fire service played a key role in the initial response, the reliance on volunteer units highlights the continued dependence on local civil-military cooperation in emergency scenarios. The absence of immediate confirmation about the exact trigger — whether from grinding, equipment, or another source — underscores the difficulty of pinpointing ignition sources in vast, open terrains, even with eyewitness accounts and aerial surveillance.
Environmental experts note that peat fires, once ignited, can burn underground for extended periods, making complete extinguishment difficult and increasing the risk of re-ignition. Authorities confirmed that crews continued to scan the area for hot spots after the main fire was declared out, a standard precaution given the subsurface combustion risks inherent in such landscapes.
What caused the fire at the WTD 91 training ground?
According to investigators, the fire was likely started by sparks from an angle grinder used by three forestry workers to cut a bolt on a hunting stand located in the peatland. The dry conditions and strong west wind allowed the fire to spread rapidly across the vegetation.
Was anyone injured in the fire?
No injuries were reported during the incident. Emergency services confirmed that all personnel involved in the firefighting efforts remained unharmed.
