Sweltering temperatures have plagued Wildegg for weeks, with no rain in sight. Marie recognizes the impending danger of forest fires and wants to train her team for the worst-case scenario by bringing in a firefighting expert from California. While getting ready for a vacation with her husband, Irene confesses her affair with De Pascalis to her daughter. Shocked, Marie insists that her mother tell Ernst the truth. Marie’s worst fears are realized when a forest fire breaks out.