WWII ammo complicates German fire fight

A forest fire near a village southwest of Berlin is under control but the situation remains precarious because of unexploded World War II ammunition buried there.

German news agency DPA reported on Friday it was difficult for firefighters to get inside the pine forest near Fichtenwalde because there were indications some of the munitions might already have detonated due to the fire and the safety of the firefighters might be at risk.

Like much of Europe, the Berlin region has been experiencing unusually hot and dry weather in recent months and authorities have warned the risk of wildfires is very high.

Vast plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the fire, which is close to a busy highway between Berlin and Leipzig.

Officials said the fire has already burned 90 hectares of pine forest.