A forest fire in Germany has engulfed at least 200 hectares
A massive forest fire in the Hürtgenwald in western Germany forced authorities to evacuate the village of Gai near Düren. The fire in the forest near the border with Belgium has engulfed at least 200 hectares. Authorities in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia believe this may be the largest forest fire in the state’s history.
Residents of Gai, home to about 2,000 people, will not be able to return home overnight. Emergency services reported that the situation remains fluid and conditions are changing. According to Deutsche Welle, approximately 400 personnel from various agencies—including firefighters, police, the military, the federal police, and the Federal Office for Technical Relief—were simultaneously involved in fighting the fire.
Five people were injured during the evacuation and firefighting efforts. One elderly man suffered heart problems, and four other rescuers sustained minor injuries, including cuts and circulatory issues. The assembly points for evacuees were moved to a school for people with special needs in Düren, as smoke and ash had accumulated at the two nearest locations.
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Helicopters dropping water, as well as special Bundeswehr equipment for clearing vegetation and creating firebreaks, have been deployed to fight the blaze. The hot weather and dry forest soil are complicating the effort. Rescuers expect the operation to last all weekend and possibly longer.
Unexploded ordnance from World War II remains in the forests of Hürtgenwald. It poses an additional danger to emergency responders and could contribute to the spread of the fire. The Cologne police are investigating the cause of the fire and have called on the public to provide photos, videos, or other information taken around the time the fire broke out.
North Rhine-Westphalia Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst cut short his vacation and planned to visit the Düren area on Saturday. Forecasters predicted a drop in temperatures over the weekend and about a 50% chance of light rain on Saturday.
