Belgium is currently battling its most severe wildfire in recorded history, with flames consuming over 27 square kilometers in the High Fens nature reserve near the German border. The fire ignited on Friday in Liege province and has been advancing eastward throughout the weekend, prompting significant emergency response efforts from multiple nations.
Approximately 600 residents from the Belgian border towns of Waimes and Butgenbach have been evacuated as a precautionary measure. Though no homes have been damaged as of Sunday morning, authorities are urging people to remain outside the affected area. In neighboring Germany, the town of Monschau reported the fire approaching within three kilometers of the border, leading officials to advise residents of three districts to temporarily relocate due to smoke concerns.
Emergency personnel from Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands have been mobilized to combat the blaze, with over 250 responders working to contain the fire’s advancing edge. The outbreak occurs amid severe heat conditions, as Belgium experienced temperatures near 37 degrees Celsius on Friday with minimal rainfall in recent weeks, creating ideal conditions for rapid fire spread.
This wildfire surpasses Belgium’s previous record, set in 2011 when a fire burned 14 square kilometers in the same nature reserve. The incident reflects a broader crisis across Europe, where thousands have been displaced and approximately 500,000 hectares have burned across European Union territories this year.
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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