Forest fire near Freudenberg in Bavaria's Upper Palatinate forces evacuation warning

BERLIN — A forest fire broke out near Freudenberg in the Upper Palatinate region of Bavaria in southern Germany, with strong winds preventing firefighters from bringing the blaze under control, local authorities said. The Amberg-Sulzbach district administration said around 330 emergency personnel have been deployed to fight the fire. Officials noted that the rugged terrain has restricted firefighting efforts to ground operations on foot, while storms and thunder showers have further complicated the response. The local fire control unit urged residents to stay away from the area and warned nearby households of smoke and fire risks. Authorities asked residents to keep windows and doors closed and to shut off air conditioning and ventilation systems. Local residents were advised to monitor regional radio broadcasts for updates. No further details on the size of the affected area or potential damage were immediately available.