Forest fire in the Harz Mountains: What this means for excursions and vacationers

A large-scale forest fire above the Grane Dam near Goslar has been keeping emergency services busy since Sunday evening, June 22, 2025. Over 300 firefighters, two helicopters, and a firefighting aircraft are on site to contain the flames. But despite lower temperatures and intensive firefighting efforts, the fire is still not fully under control.

Visitors to the Harz should strictly follow the instructions of the fire department.

According to the Goslar Fire Department , the fire was reported on Sunday at approximately 6:08 p.m. Upon arrival, it was already apparent that the flames spread over a large area—particularly on a heavily sunlit and difficult-to-access slope. Strong gusts of wind further accelerated the spread.

A fire department spokesperson told NDR that the flames had been contained but were not yet extinguished. "There is still a lot of heat in the ground," the fire department said on Monday morning. The operation is expected to continue until at least Wednesday.

The Goslar Fire Department is urging people to avoid the area around the Grane Dam and Steinberg on Facebook. Here are the reasons:

• Danger from falling trees
• Smoke pollution can endanger health
• Water drops from the air occur without warning
• Restricted areas and escape routes must not be blocked
• Emergency services must not be hindered by onlookers

"The area is widely closed and should be avoided," the urgent appeal reads. "Please strictly follow the instructions of the police and fire department."

The Nina warning app has also published corresponding information. The area between the Grane Dam and Goslar, as well as the forest areas of Königsberg, Nordberg, and Steinberg, is particularly affected.

The risk of forest fires in the Harz Mountains increases significantly in summer. Currently, the entire national park is at forest fire level 4 out of 5, according to the Harz National Park .

For safety reasons, the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway (HSB) has adjusted its timetable: Steam locomotives will no longer operate on the Brocken for the time being. In the event of prolonged dry weather, steam train service will be interrupted regularly. You can find the exact timetables and alternative connections on the HSB website .

From danger level 4 onwards, only diesel locomotives operate to the Brocken.

Source: IMAGO/Krauthöfer

Visitors who discover a forest fire or unclear smoke development should immediately alert the fire department by calling 112 !

In an emergency, every minute counts: If you spot smoke or fire in the forest, you should call 112 immediately.

Source: IMAGO/Bernd März

Many fires are caused by carelessness—but that doesn't have to be the case. By following a few simple rules, you can protect nature and help avoid dangerous situations:

• Before you go, find out about the current forest fire danger level in your area.
• Speak to others when you observe risky behavior and gently remind them of the rules.
• No open fires! Campfires, barbecues, and outdoor cooking are prohibited year-round in the Harz National Park.
• In Saxony-Anhalt, a smoking ban applies from forest fire level 2. In the Harz Mountains in Lower Saxony, smoking is generally prohibited between March 1 and October 31.
• Never park your car on dry grass – the hot catalytic converter can ignite the grass.
• Keep access routes clear so that fire and emergency vehicles can get to the scene quickly.
• Take your trash with you: Broken glass, cans, and other waste can start fires and harm nature.

Forest fires are considered extraordinary circumstances, which can impact your vacation plans. Whether you can cancel a booked trip to the Harz Mountains depends on how and what exactly you booked.

If you've booked a package holiday to the Harz Mountains, you can cancel free of charge under certain conditions. According to travel lawyer Paul Degott, however, this is only possible if the forest fire is in the immediate vicinity of your accommodation and there are specific disruptions – such as closures, evacuations, or heavy smoke. In this case, the tour operator must refund the trip price.

Even those already on site and affected by the fire can cancel their trip early. The costs of an early return trip are generally shared between travelers and tour operators. Furthermore, there may be claims for a reduction in price if the vacation cannot proceed as planned due to the circumstances.

For individually booked trips – such as accommodation, travel, or hiking trips separately – the respective contractual terms and conditions apply. If the accommodation is still accessible and the stay is theoretically possible, you generally cannot cancel free of charge, even if you feel uncomfortable with the situation.

The mere fear of a forest fire without any concrete impact on the holiday destination is not legally sufficient for a free cancellation.

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