Germany evacuates about 2,000 people as wildfire reaches western village
More than 2,000 people were evacuated from their homes in western Germany on Friday after a wildfire spread toward the village of Gey near the Belgian border. Authorities ordered residents to leave as flames approached the community.
Residents were told to evacuate at around 4 a.m. and report to an emergency assistance centre established at a nearby primary school. Authorities instructed them to take only essential belongings, identification documents and necessary medicines as they left their homes.
The wildfire has burned around 300 hectares of land and remained out of control. The flames had moved to within roughly 300 metres of Gey, creating an immediate threat to residents and prompting the large-scale evacuation.
The situation has been made particularly dangerous by unexploded World War II ammunition scattered across the affected area. Explosions have been reported as the fire reached the old ordnance, making it more difficult and dangerous for firefighters to operate.
Two German army tanks from the Bundeswehr have been deployed to help create access routes through the difficult terrain and support firefighting operations. Federal authorities are also assisting local emergency services as efforts continue to contain the blaze.
Residents described receiving an emergency warning through an app telling them to leave immediately. Some had already packed essential belongings because of the rapidly developing fire situation and were able to leave shortly after receiving the order.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was being kept continuously informed about the situation and confirmed that the Bundeswehr and federal police were providing assistance where possible.
Firefighters are facing an especially difficult battle because numerous smaller fires and glowing embers remain active around the main blaze. Officials have warned that the wildfire is still far from being fully under control, meaning evacuated residents may have to remain away from their homes while emergency crews continue their work.