A rapidly spreading wildfire in the High Fens nature reserve near Belgium's border with Germany has scorched approximately 2,700 hectares, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate. This marks the largest wildfire ever recorded in Belgium.
The blaze broke out on Friday and quickly spread across peatlands and pine forests. On Saturday, the European Union deployed three helicopters and two water-bombing aircraft, while Belgium mobilized additional firefighters to bring the massive fire under control.
Authorities ordered around 600 residents in parts of Waimes, Sourbrodt, and Buetgenbach to evacuate as shifting winds and heavy smoke raised concerns that the fire could reach homes. Tourists were also advised to leave the area.
David Rodolfs, a restaurant owner in Waimes, told AFP: "You can't see a thing anymore, there's smoke everywhere." A gymnasium in a neighboring municipality was opened to provide shelter for evacuees.
Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin expressed shock at the fire's speed and extent of destruction. Nicolas Yernaux, spokesperson for the Wallonia regional authorities, said: "There is a risk that the fire could reach homes, but we are deploying all available resources to protect them."
Difficult terrain has hampered firefighting efforts, with operations relying heavily on aerial resources and forcing firefighters to allow hard-to-reach areas to burn. Belgium activated the EU's civil protection mechanism, bringing in assistance from the Czech Republic, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
Firefighters from Germany and Luxembourg have also joined the response, while farmers have helped emergency crews by wetting down the area. Belgium experienced another spell of extreme heat this week, with temperatures reaching 37°C (98.6°F) in parts of the country.
Scientists say human-caused climate change is increasing the likelihood of hot and dry conditions that allow wildfires to spread faster and burn longer. European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib called the blaze the latest sign of the "climate upheaval" affecting the continent.
"Never before has the wildfire season started so early in the year and reached such northern latitudes," she said. The wildfire is located just over the border from another major blaze in western Germany, which forced more than 2,000 residents from their homes.
Source: www.dw.com