German Wildfire Under Control: 2,000 Evacuees Return | Gey

The German wildfire that forced the evacuation of the village of Gey is now under control, and all 2,000 evacuated residents have been allowed to return home, local authorities confirmed on Saturday, 15 August 2026. Flames had reached within roughly 150 metres of homes before the situation stabilized, but no houses were lost.

What happened in Gey?

The fire broke out on Thursday, 13 August 2026, in the Hürtgenwald forest near Gey, a village in North Rhine-Westphalia close to Aachen and the Dutch border. It spread rapidly through tinder-dry vegetation and by Friday morning, around 2,000 residents were evacuated after a 4 a.m. emergency alert. Shelters were set up in nearby towns including Düren. This is part of a wider pattern of European wildfire outbreaks in the summer of 2026.

By Saturday evening, the fire had consumed an estimated 300 hectares, making it the largest wildfire recorded in North Rhine-Westphalia since official data collection began in 1991. The German wildfire response involved up to 1,800 emergency personnel at its peak, including firefighters, Bundeswehr helicopters, armoured recovery vehicles and local farmers.

Why WWII munitions made firefighting dangerous

One of the most serious challenges was the presence of unexploded ordnance from the 1944–45 Battle of Hürtgen Forest. Crews could not safely enter the burning forest because of unexploded World War II ordnance buried in the ground. Multiple explosions were heard during the first night of the fire as munitions detonated in the heat, forcing firefighters to work from the perimeter using water cannons, counter-fires and aerial water drops.

How firefighters contained the blaze

Fire service spokesperson Peter Berndgen said the situation had stabilized by Saturday, and authorities stopped deploying firefighting helicopters. However, the fire was not fully extinguished; crews expected to remain on site at least until Monday, 17 August. Five people were injured during the response, including four rescue workers and an elderly resident.

Belgium's High Fens fire still burning

About 30 kilometres west, in Belgium's High Fens (Hoge Venen), a much larger wildfire continued to burn. By Saturday evening, roughly 2,700 hectares had been affected, and two Belgian villages were partially evacuated. Authorities on the German side of the border were preparing for possible evacuations as well. The contrast with the Belgian High Fens wildfire underlines how quickly dry conditions can turn forests into tinderboxes.

Wildfire comparison: Gey vs High Fens

Impact and response

North Rhine-Westphalia's interior minister, Herbert Reul, told public broadcaster WDR that the fire was probably caused by “some idiot” who had been “walking around irresponsibly and carelessly throwing something away.” The state government urged people to avoid forest outings in the coming days to prevent new fires. Regional leader Hendrik Wüst expressed relief that no houses were destroyed and praised the coordinated effort between fire services, the Bundeswehr and volunteers.

• Authorities recommend avoiding forest trips during extreme dry weather.
• Report any signs of smoke or fire immediately to emergency services.
• Do not discard cigarettes or glass bottles in forested areas.

FAQ

Is the German wildfire in Gey fully extinguished?

No. The fire is under control but not completely out. Firefighting is expected to continue until at least Monday, 17 August 2026.

How many people were evacuated in Gey?

Around 2,000 residents were evacuated on Friday morning, 14 August 2026. All have now been allowed to return home.

Why was the Hürtgenwald fire so hard to fight?

Unexploded World War II munitions in the forest made it too dangerous for crews to enter the area directly, forcing perimeter-based tactics and aerial water drops.

How large is the Belgian High Fens fire?

As of Saturday evening, the Belgian fire had burned about 2,700 hectares and was not yet under control, with two villages partially evacuated.