德国北莱茵-威斯特法伦州Hürtgenwald地区爆发大规模林火，约1800名居民被迫撤离家园[1]。火势逼近Gey村，距离仅400米[1]。当地官员表示，撤离工作可能持续整晚，灭火行动预计需要数天[1]。
这场林火受影响面积约25至30公顷[1]。北莱茵-威斯特法伦州农业部长Silke Gorissen评价称，"这可能是我们州成立以来最大的森林火灾"[1]。消防员Peter Berndgen指出，当前天气条件"非常不利"，已被定为"红旗日"[1]。
灭火工作面临多重挑战。德军部署了两架NH90直升机参与灭火行动，每架直升机可投放约2000升水[1]。德国总理Friedrich Merz表示，联邦警察和军队已提供协助[1]。该区域在二战期间是Hürtgen Forest战役遗址，散布大量未爆弹药，这增加了灭火的难度[1]。警方已成立网络门户收集公众信息以查证火灾原因[1]。
A major wildfire in the Hürtgenwald region of North Rhine-Westphalia's Eifel forest has forced approximately 1,800 residents to evacuate their homes [1]. The flames approached within 400 meters of the village of Gey [1], while the affected area spans roughly 25 to 30 hectares, though estimates suggest it could expand to 300 hectares [1]. Regional Agriculture Minister Silke Gorissen characterized the fire as potentially "the largest forest fire since our state was founded" [1].
Firefighter Peter Berndgen described the weather conditions as "extremely unfavorable," noting that the day qualified as a "red flag day" for fire risk [1]. German authorities have mobilized significant resources to combat the blaze, deploying two NH90 helicopters from the armed forces, each capable of dropping approximately 2,000 liters of water [1]. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed that federal police and military units are providing assistance [1]. Officials indicated that evacuations could last through the night and firefighting efforts may continue for several days [1].
The firefighting operation faces additional complications due to unexploded ordnance scattered throughout the region, a legacy of the Hürtgen Forest battle during World War II [1]. Police have established an online portal to collect public information to help determine the fire's origin [1].