Massive forest fire in Germany's Eifel region burns out of control, 500 firefighters deployed

Johann G. Goldammer, Director of the Global Fire Monitoring Center, explains why the forest fire in the Eifel is "not surprising" and why rapid fire detection is becoming increasingly important: "We will see such situations more and more often."

A major fire near Hürtgenwald in the Eifel region continues to keep emergency services in continuous operation. The fire department is preparing for a days-long operation. Minister President Hendrik Wüst plans to assess the situation on site. Fires are also burning in other parts of Germany.

Live Updates: Forest Fires in Germany

3:45 PM – Friday, August 14

Forest fire near Hürtgenwald still not under control

The large forest fire near Hürtgenwald in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) remains uncontrolled. According to a spokesperson for the Düren district, emergency services continued efforts on Friday afternoon to prevent the flames from spreading to the Gey district, which was evacuated overnight. According to Bild, the fire was at one point only 10 meters from the first houses of the settlement. Authorities, however, state the distance between the fire and the town is 150 to 200 meters.

5:25 AM – Saturday, August 15

Forest and meadow area burning in Sonsbeck

In Sonsbeck (Wesel district), a forest and meadow area approximately the size of 16 football fields has caught fire. A spokesperson for the emergency control center reported that an area of roughly 115,000 square meters was affected. The fire broke out around 6:00 PM and had not been extinguished by early morning, but was under control. Most emergency personnel remained on site. The fire site is located in the Labbeck district.

5:16 AM – Saturday, August 15

Days-long operation in Hürtgenwald; Wüst expected today

During the night, personnel deployment on the ground was nearly doubled in particularly endangered areas in Hürtgenwald, according to Peter Berndgen, spokesperson for the fire departments in the Düren district, speaking to the German Press Agency. Many additional firefighting units were led into these areas.

The fire department is preparing for a days-long operation. Every twelve hours, around 500 emergency personnel from NRW make their way to the fire area for shift changes. Operational planning currently extends until Monday.

The deployment of firefighting helicopters is set to resume during daylight. With the onset of darkness, the helicopters had to remain on the ground.

This afternoon, NRW Minister President Hendrik Wüst (CDU) plans to visit the fire area to assess the situation. According to the state government's assessment, this forest fire is likely the largest in the history of North Rhine-Westphalia. NRW Agriculture Minister Silke Gorißen (CDU), during a visit to emergency services, estimated the affected area at 200 to 300 hectares.

A Bundeswehr tank is on its way to fight the forest fire near Hürtgenwald. Source: Thomas Banneyer/dpa

3:10 AM – Saturday, August 15

400 burning hay bales in Osterholz-Scharmbeck

Approximately 400 hay bales caught fire in a field in Osterholz-Scharmbeck. According to a police spokesperson, the fire is now under control. Emergency services were called to the fire on a farm in the Ohlenstedt district on Friday evening around 10:00 PM. The cause of the fire in the Osterholz district remains unclear. The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance is drawing attention to possible odor nuisance from the fire smoke throughout the municipality.

1:09 AM – Saturday, August 15

Wind shifts – Fire department relocates operations center due to smoke

In the fight against the large forest fire in Hürtgenwald in the Eifel, the fire department has relocated its operations center. A fire department spokesperson stated that the wind had shifted, carrying smoke from the forest fire toward emergency personnel. The center has now been set up at the school.

Emergency personnel hold a situation briefing in Hürtgenwald. Source: Thomas Banneyer/dpa

12:35 AM – Saturday, August 15

All-clear for forest fire in Rhineland-Palatinate: Fire is under control

In the large forest fire in the Vordereifel region of Rhineland-Palatinate, emergency services have declared the fire under control.