Massive Wildfire Threatens Village of Gey in Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia

On August 14, 2026, a rapidly expanding wildfire in the Hürtgenwald forest forced the evacuation of Gey, near the Belgian border. Residents were directed to an assistance centre at a nearby primary school. The blaze, driven by a heatwave with temperatures near 38 °C, reached within roughly 150–300 m of the village perimeter by evening.

Germany Wildfire: Gey Evacuated as Blaze Reaches 150m

The Hürtgen Forest, scarred by World War II fighting, still contains unexploded munitions. Explosions were heard as the fire approached former depots, limiting ground crews to perimeter work and aerial water drops. The fire unfolded during a summer of record heat across Europe, reviving debate in Germany over climate-driven wildfire risk.

Germany Wildfire: Gey Evacuated as Blaze Reaches 150m

• Area burned: about 300 ha (? 740 ac), the largest wildfire recorded in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Largest Wildfire in North Rhine-Westphalia – Evacuation in the Eifel Region

• Evacuees: estimates range from 1,800 to “more than 2,000.”

Germany Wildfire: Gey Evacuated as Blaze Reaches 150m

• Resources: up to 600 firefighters in 12-hour shifts, 300 emergency responders, two Bundeswehr armoured tanks, several water-dropping helicopters and police water-cannons.

Largest Wildfire in North Rhine-Westphalia – Evacuation in the Eifel Region

• Proximity to homes: 150–300 m (? 500–1,000 ft) from the village edge.

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• Injuries: five reported – one elderly evacuee with heart problems and four responders with minor injuries.

Germany Wildfire: Gey Evacuated as Blaze Reaches 150m

Minister-President Hendrik Wüst cut short his holiday to visit the fire zone, noting the extreme weather “is linked to climate change” and that “in future we will have to deal with extreme weather events more frequently.” Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was being kept informed and thanked the federal police and Bundeswehr. County Administrator Ralf Nolten warned the situation remained critical, though the fire had stabilized.

Largest Wildfire in North Rhine-Westphalia – Evacuation in the Eifel Region

• “We are satisfied with how things are progressing. Specifically, this means that the fire has not spread any further,” — Peter Berndgen, fire department spokesperson

Reuters

• “The terrain is very difficult, and because of the high concentration of munitions, we can’t send individual firefighters in with firefighting backpacks,” — Ralf Nolten

Largest Wildfire in North Rhine-Westphalia – Evacuation in the Eifel Region

Sources differ on evacuee numbers (1,800-“more than 2,000”) and fire distance from Gey (150-300 m). The exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Germany Wildfire: Gey Evacuated as Blaze Reaches 150m

Containment efforts will continue through at least Monday, relying on rotating crews and aerial drops. Forecasts call for temperatures up to 38 °C and little rain, keeping the fire line insecure and evacuation orders in place until it is definitively contained.

Times of Malta