Chancellor Friedrich Merz made his first public appearance after his vacation by visiting a wildfire-affected region in North Rhine-Westphalia to express gratitude to emergency workers.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz traveled to the Hürtgenwald area in North Rhine-Westphalia on Saturday to meet with firefighters and volunteers who battled one of the most severe wildfires Germany has seen this summer. The event marked his first official engagement following his recent vacation.

Local authorities declared the fire fully extinguished on Thursday evening after it ravaged the region for several days. The blaze had forced the temporary evacuation of an entire neighborhood, displacing approximately 1,800 residents. The response involved hundreds of emergency personnel working tirelessly to contain the flames and ensure public safety.

During his visit, Merz personally thanked the first responders for their dedication and efforts in combating the wildfire. His trip follows an earlier visit to the site by the state’s premier, who also commended the emergency crews. The swift action of these teams was credited for preventing further devastation in the affected area.