The Bavarian Forestry Minister Started a Forest Fire in His Own Backyard
The same man employed to stop forest fires accidentally started one this week.
Helmut Brunner, the same man whose job it is to protect forests in the German state of Bavaria, accidentally started a forest fire this past week when he dumped a pile of ashes into a wooded area behind his house.
Helmut Brunner, the same man whose job it is to protect forests in the German state of Bavaria, accidentally started a forest fire this past week when he dumped a pile of ashes into a wooded area behind his house.
The forestry minister seems to have missed there were hot embers mixed in with those ashes, which quickly sparked a flame and ignited a fire.
Both Brunner and a passing motorist who noticed the smoke called emergency services. According to the Telegraph, it took 22 firemen and 4,000 liters of water to put out the fire.
“I totally underestimated it, it’s really embarrassing,” Brunner told Bavarian Radio. “You can’t be careful enough.”
To make matters worse, Brunner, who recently campaigned for locals to be more vigilant about forest fires, reportedly burned yard waste for his bonfire on a public holiday — a violation of German law.
The fire didn’t cause any injuries and was put out before it spread too far. But the 61-year-old politician sounds like he learned his lesson.
“Such a thing will never happen to me again,” he said.
Photo Credit: DPA
Siobhán O'Grady was a staff writer at Foreign Policy from 2015-2016 and was previously an editorial fellow.
More from Foreign Policy
Chinese Hospitals Are Housing Another Deadly Outbreak
Authorities are covering up the spread of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia.
Henry Kissinger, Colossus on the World Stage
The late statesman was a master of realpolitik—whom some regarded as a war criminal.
The West’s False Choice in Ukraine
The crossroads is not between war and compromise, but between victory and defeat.
The Masterminds
Washington wants to get tough on China, and the leaders of the House China Committee are in the driver’s seat.
Sign up for World Brief
FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day, written by Alexandra Sharp. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.