Around 60 fire fighters were deployed to battle a fire in a field in Boxhorn on Thursday afternoon, from the emergency centres in Clervaux, Troisvierges, Wincrange and Wiltz. The operation lasted around two hours before the flames were fully extinguished.
Wincrange commander Paul Thines told RTL: "The field was between seven and ten hectares, partially on a slope, and there was a breeze, so the fire spread to multiple spots. But with the right equipment in the right places, we were able to bring the fire under control."
On Friday, the fire brigade conducted additional extinguishing activities. "The problem is the slope, there are bushes, and the grass is burning on the ground. If you rake it up then the fire flares up again. We can only extinguish it. It's possible we might have to come back on Saturday, but we can't leave anything to chance."
For just one fire brigade centre, this would be a lot. Thines explained: "Here in Wincrange alone, we've been called out 21 times over the last month and a half for emerging fires. We've had big fires too. We regularly carry out extinguishing operations after the initial fire has been put out. This morning, on our way to Boxhorn, we stopped at a farm to put out a tractor fire. Fortunately that was quick to sort out."
Just after lunch on Friday, the Wincrange fire brigade was summoned once again, after a field caught fire on the RN90 near Marnach.
CIS Wincrange is currently very grateful for additional support from students on holiday. "Our municipal staff have also pitched in to help, they're available to support us on a daily basis. And people working shifts. In addition, a local business has freed up its employees to come and help us."
Now, the broadleaf trees are starting to dry out along with the pines. "The birch trees are drying out, many are already dry, so are the leaves. That creates immense risk." Thines warned people to exercise extreme caution when walking in the woods.
