A large wildfire in western Germany has forced the evacuation of around 2,000 residents from the village of Gey, in the Hürtgenwald area of the Eifel region. According to German authorities, the flames have spread, driven by shifting winds, and have moved close to the residential area.
Residents were ordered to leave with only the most essential belongings
According to the official account, residents were told to take only the most important items before evacuating, mainly documents and medicines. The evacuation was carried out after the fire approached the village of Gey, increasing the danger to the populated area.
Hürtgenwald is located in the Eifel region, near the border with Belgium and the Netherlands, an area where authorities say the situation has worsened because of the rapid spread of the flames through the forest.
Police and military were involved in the firefighting operation
Police helicopters have been involved in the operation, transporting water for aerial firefighting. In addition, according to official announcements, military equipment has been made available to firefighters.
The involvement of these structures shows the scale of the emergency, while local authorities are trying to contain the spread of the fire in terrain that is proving difficult to control.
Authorities describe it as one of the largest fires in the state’s history
North Rhine-Westphalia Agriculture Minister Silke Gorißen described the fire as an event that could turn out to be the largest in the history of the state. According to her, it is on a scale the region has not faced in decades.
Preliminary estimates indicate that at least 200 hectares have been affected, while some scenarios suggest the burned area could reach as much as 300 hectares.
Comparison with recent statistics shows the scale of the damage
The figures become even more significant when compared with previous data. According to statistics from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, about 52 hectares of forest were affected by fires in North Rhine-Westphalia during the whole of 2025.
NRW Environment Minister Oliver Krischer described the scale of the fire as shocking and linked it to the consequences of climate change. This remains part of the political and institutional assessment, while the full damage toll still depends on how the situation develops on the ground.
So far, official statements say the fire has affected around 300 hectares in the Hürtgenwald area. The situation remains serious, with the main focus on protecting residents and preventing the further spread of the flames.