In Germany, more than 1,800 people were evacuated because of a forest fire; the flames approached a village near the border with Belgium
Kyiv • UNN
German authorities evacuated around 1,800 people from the village of Geich because of a forest fire that approached the border with Belgium. The fire engulfed 25 hectares, and the B399 road was closed.
German authorities ordered the evacuation of around 1,800 people from their homes on the morning of Friday, August 14, after a wildfire in the western region spread toward a village near the border with Belgium. Reuters reports, UNN writes.
Details
Residents of the village of Gei were told to leave their homes immediately and go to an assistance center set up at the primary school in the neighboring village of Strass, municipal officials said in a statement at 4:00 a.m. (02:00 GMT).
They were advised to take only essential belongings, identity documents, and necessary medication.
On Thursday, authorities said that a large-scale emergency response operation had been deployed because of a wildfire that had affected around 25 hectares (62 acres) of nearby woodland.
Firefighters and emergency services battled the blaze, trying to contain its spread, while the B399 road through the area was closed.
According to meteorological services, much of Germany is suffering from dry weather and a high risk of wildfires.
Across the European continent, the fastest-warming region in the world, an exceptionally active wildfire season is continuing. It has been fueled by a wetter winter, which stimulated vegetation growth, followed by heatwaves that dried it out.