{
  "id": 2598582,
  "title": "Nach Waldbrand: Merz in Waldbrandgebiet: „Das ist Klimawandel“",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/nach-waldbrand-merz-in-waldbrandgebiet-das-ist-klimawandel",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-22T15:01:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/international/nach-waldbrand-merz-in-waldbrandgebiet-das-ist-klimawandel/100249023.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (CDU) views the recent forest fire in the Eifel region of Hürtgenwald as a consequence of climate change. At a visit to the most affected area, Gey, Merz stated, \"We must expect these events to become more frequent. This is climate change.\" He urged skeptics of climate change to observe the situation firsthand. Merz emphasized that efforts will be made to combat climate change, but living with it is also necessary. He called for preparedness, attributing this task to federal, state, and local authorities. Merz acknowledged the exceptional work of helpers, praising the collaboration between firefighters, the Technical Assistance Association, the Bundeswehr, and the agricultural sectors. He praised the volunteers' efforts, stating that without the many people involved in voluntary activities across Germany, the community would not have been maintained. The visit to Hürtgenwald marked Merz's first public appearance since his summer vacation. Roughly 1,400 people participated in firefighting efforts during the operation, which saw around 1,800 residents of Gey evacuate due to the fire's proximity. The fire, whose cause remains unexplained, spread up to 250 meters into private properties. To ensure safety, approximately 1,800 residents of Gey were forced to leave their homes. Two days later, they were allowed to return. An elderly person experienced heart issues during evacuation, and some responders received minor injuries. The fire, which burned or damaged an area of 300 to 400 hectares, was declared extinguished by the mayor of the municipality on Thursday. The affected forest area was fenced off. Merz announced an evaluation of the situation, noting that communication connections could still be improved. The evaluation will occur in the federal cabinet on Tuesday and Wednesday, discussing how to better prepare for such large-scale disasters in the future. The Landrat requested Merz's visit later and Merz complied. Protesters displayed signs criticizing Merz, claiming he was negligent. Despite Merz's absence during a heatwave, the opposition accused him of lackluster climate change response. Former Green Party leader Katharina Dröge criticized Merz saying, \"Friedrich Merz seems to hope that when he is on vacation and nobody sees him, nobody even considers that he could be responsible for combating the climate crisis.\" Hürtgenwald, located in western North Rhine-Westphalia near the Belgian border, has around 9,000 inhabitants. The land is steeped in history with fierce battles fought there in 1944 and 1945 between German and US troops.",
  "summary": "Nach seinem Sommerurlaub besucht der Kanzler das Waldbrandgebiet Hürtgenwald. Das Feuer dort ist seit Donnerstag gelöscht.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}