Belgium’s biggest wildfire ever spreads toward German border
Illustrative photo: helicopter extinguishing the fire (Getty Images)
Belgium is battling the largest forest fire in the country's modern history. Since Friday, the fire has engulfed approximately 3,000 hectares of the High Fens nature reserve near the German border, according to Politico.
More than 250 firefighters and emergency service personnel fought the blaze overnight. On Sunday, rescuers are relying largely on air support to try to bring the flames under control.
European countries provide aircraft
Belgian authorities have requested assistance from other European countries. Belgian federal police helicopters and Dutch aircraft were already operating over the fire zone on Sunday morning, repeatedly scooping water from a nearby lake.
It is expected that additional helicopters from Czechia and Sweden will join the operation later. Belgium has activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to secure international assistance.
According to European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib, Germany and Norway may also provide air support.
“Thank you to our European partners for the assistance they are providing," Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever wrote on social media platform X.
Fire remains uncontrolled
The blaze is spreading across terrain consisting of fragile peat bogs and pine forests in the High Fens nature reserve. This area previously experienced large-scale fires during a similar period of heat and drought in 1911.
The current fire is the largest in Belgium since that time. No buildings have been damaged so far, though residents of two villages have been evacuated, and authorities say the fire remains uncontrolled.
As is known, large-scale forest fires have hit several European countries this summer amid repeated heatwaves and droughts. Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate due to fires in Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, and Spain.
On Sunday, French firefighters also continued battling several forest blazes, one of which was approaching the border with Belgium.
