Forest fire in Hürtgenwald: campsite offers those affected a refuge

In mid-August 2026, the largest forest fire in the history of North Rhine-Westphalia kept the region on tenterhooks. In the Hürtgenwald, people had to leave their homes, the village of Gey was evacuated and the B399 between Großhau and Gey was temporarily closed.

Even though it was the middle of the summer holidays and peak season – the site was almost fully booked – Campingplatz Hetzingen offered help without hesitation: on a limited scale, there was the possibility to accommodate people from Gey. Anyone without other lodging could come by to shower and use the toilets, there were drinks, and the Hetzinger Stüffgen restaurant as well as the Miracoli in Nideggen were open at least in the late afternoon.

The response was overwhelming: hundreds of people reacted to the appeal, shared it and gave thanks for this gesture of solidarity.

And indeed, during this difficult time, people from Gey and the surrounding villages found refuge with us. A few days later, on 21 August, the municipality of Hürtgenwald gave the all-clear: the fire was out, the road closures were lifted and the evacuation of Gey ended.

Our special thanks go to all the emergency and relief forces who overcame this disaster – the fire brigades, the THW technical relief agency, the German armed forces, the emergency services, the police and the farming community as well as the countless volunteers. Their efforts prevented worse.