In brief
Belgian officials report the largest wildfire in recent history has surged from 80 to 3,000 hectares in 24 hours. Over a hundred firefighters and international aerial support are tackling the blaze. Evacuations have been issued for two villages, but no homes have yet been damaged. The high heat, bog terrain, and connectivity issues hamper firefighting efforts.
In a blaze described as the largest in Belgium’s recent history, the wildfire in the High Fens nature reserve has more than doubled in size in 24 hours.
Hundreds of firefighters are spending a third day battling the flames that are tearing through the area and have prompted the evacuation of two nearby villages.
Local farmers hauled water tankers towards the park near Belgium’s eastern border with Germany, backed by water‑bombing aircraft and helicopters sent from Sweden and the Netherlands.
This blaze is one of several wildfires reported across Europe this weekend, and at least two were killed in forest fires on a Greek island off the coast of Athens on Sunday.
Belgian officials warn that high heat and the park’s bog‑like terrain and forests have hampered efforts to extinguish the fire.
The fire spread from 80 hectares on Friday to 850 hectares on Saturday morning, before consuming 3,000 hectares by early Sunday, AFP reports.
Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said two of its fronts heading toward Jalhay and Monschau had been brought under control, but authorities say conditions remain challenging and rely heavily on aerial assistance, though no homes have been affected.
Two water‑bombing aircraft arrived from Sweden on Sunday afternoon to back up four helicopters – two Belgian and two Dutch – already on site.
Nicolas Yernaux, spokesman for the regional authorities in Wallonia, said on Saturday that the fire was the country’s “largest in recent history”.
Firefighters had allowed parts of the heathland to burn because the area is very difficult to access, he added.
Rescue teams have been unable to access the area where the fire broke out, meaning its cause remains unknown.
