Firefighters in Belgium are battling one of the most devastating wildfires in the country's history, which continues to burn near the German border. Rain and cooler temperatures have provided some relief, but gusty winds and moisture are hampering aerial water-bombing operations, complicating efforts to contain the blaze.

The fire, which has scorched approximately 3,000 hectares—about half the size of Manhattan—has ravaged the High Fens (Hautes Fagnes) nature reserve, a vast expanse of boggy peatlands, pine forests, and hiking trails. Much of the terrain is inaccessible to heavy machinery, making aerial support crucial.

Regional government spokesman Niolas Yernaux told AFP on Tuesday, 'We are trying to definitively encircle the fire today.' Firefighters worked through the night to link the eastern and northern fronts, despite difficult conditions in the hilly, wooded area. 'We're talking about one or two kilometers, and we're on the verge of achieving it,' Yernaux added.

While the fire is 'under control and contained' in accessible areas, the front stretching toward the German border and the town of Monschau remains a major concern. This zone is only reachable from the air, and wind and rain could delay operations until Tuesday evening. Residents of Monschau have been evacuated due to smoke hazards, with the fire just 2.3 kilometers from the border.

Monschau fire service spokesman Tobias Schnell told dpa that 'strong winds' are blowing toward the east, and if they intensify, the flames could threaten the town. He noted that 170 personnel are working in three shifts around the clock, with operations expected to last several more days. Water tanks and equipment have been pre-positioned in the fire's potential path.

Smoke has spread dozens of kilometers eastward, prompting air quality warnings in major cities like Cologne and Wuppertal. 'At present the smell of the fire can be perceived throughout the city,' Wuppertal's fire department warned, advising residents to close doors and windows, as 'a health risk cannot be ruled out.'

Villagers in Sourbrodt, evacuated at the peak of the fire, began returning home on Monday evening, but the Waimes municipality urged continued caution. Two villages in Bütgenbach remain cleared. Meanwhile, Wallonia's Agriculture Ministry is reviewing compensation for farmers who volunteered to help fight the blaze, following an appeal from the Royal Federation of Belgian Firefighters' president, Marc Gilbert, who stressed, 'Without them, the situation would be far worse.'

Source: www.dw.com