Heat wave ends in chaos: storms and forest fires devastate Germany!

Heat wave ends in chaos: storms and forest fires devastate Germany!

After a tremendous heat wave that captivated Germany with temperatures of almost 40 degrees, a storm broke over North Rhine-Westphalia on July 2, 2025, abruptly ending the oppressive heat. The highest temperature was recorded in Andernach, Rhineland-Palatinate, at 39.3 degrees, followed by 39.2 degrees in Tangerhütte-Demker, Saxony-Anhalt, and 39.1 degrees in Kitzingen, Bavaria. The all-time high for Germany is still 41.2 degrees, and the high temperatures have left their mark: forest fires in several federal states are the result. This reports ZDF today.

The fire brigades in Hesse, Brandenburg and Saxony are currently fighting against flames and smoke. The situation is particularly dramatic in Gohrischheide, where the disaster alarm was triggered in three communities on the border of Saxony and Brandenburg. In Heidehäuser, a residential home for severely disabled people had to be evacuated, which affected around 100 people. A forest fire is also spreading in Thuringia, which has now affected 250 hectares, and a police helicopter is supporting the fire-fighting work on site.

Storm damage and evacuations

The storms with heavy rain and violent squalls left a trail of devastation in many places. Fallen trees blocked not only roads but also rail traffic, with cars being damaged by falling branches and basements filling up. The Lower Rhine and western Münsterland were particularly affected that day, where the thunderstorms occurred on Wednesday afternoon. Loud Daily Mirror The German Weather Service (DWD) issued warnings about further severe storms in the affected regions, especially at night.

However, the weather situation soon calms down. As the forecasts show, a cold front will move through the country from Friday, which is expected to reduce temperatures to 20 to 30 degrees. The weather will be clear to cloudy in the south, while the north can expect heavy showers. But until then, the danger from the forest fires remains high, and the extinguishing work requires many emergency services and coordinated measures to prevent further destruction.

A look at the damage

• Waldbrände in Hessen, Brandenburg und Sachsen
• Evakuierungen von Wohnheimen in Heidehäuser
• 250 Hektar Waldbrandfläche in Thüringen
• Über 200 Einsatzkräfte im Einsatz
• Beeinträchtigungen im Fernverkehr der Bahn

Reports of fires at a former military training area in Brandenburg and another forest fire that is endangering an ammunition depot in the Czech Republic are particularly alarming. These developments clearly illustrate how drought and extreme temperatures have increased the risk of forest fires.

For many, there remains hope that rain will come soon, which is urgently needed to defuse the situation. Loud South German newspaper Numerous emergency services have been mobilized to fight the fire and minimize further damage.