Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for automatically extinguishing fires on a wind energy installation or in the surrounding area of the wind energy installation, in which the wind energy installation (10) and/or the surrounding area of the wind energy installation (10) are/is monitored for the occurrence of a fire (32) by means of a suitable detection device, and in which, after the detection of a corresponding fire (32), an extinguishant (26), preferably water, is passed out of an extinguishant reservoir (28), which is associated with the wind energy installation (10), in the direction of the fire location.