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Wildfire burns 1,600 hectares in eastern Belgium
A wildfire in Belgium’s High Fens reserve remained out of control after forcing evacuations and drawing European air support.
What happened
A wildfire that began Friday in Belgium’s High Fens nature reserve near the German border had burned at least 1,600 hectares by Saturday and remained out of control. Authorities ordered evacuations from two nearby villages and requested European assistance. Firefighters faced shifting winds, peat ground and terrain that limited access.
Numbers
- 1,600 hectaresBurned in the High Fens — Minimum reported area
- 2 villagesNearby villages ordered evacuated
- 3 helicoptersEU helicopters deployed to help
Questions
- Why is the fire difficult to contain?
- Dry peat can burn below ground, while bogs and moorland restrict fire-engine access; shifting winds have spread flames in several directions.
- How did European partners respond?
- Belgium activated the EU civil-protection mechanism, bringing water-bombing aircraft and helicopters from partner countries to support local crews.
- What precautions apply near the reserve?
- Authorities closed several regional roads and asked nearby residents and visitors to avoid forests and keep windows and doors shut.
- Why is the blaze historically significant?
- It has surpassed the major High Fens wildfire earlier this century, and regional officials called it Belgium’s largest in recent history.
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The catch
Coverage has not confirmed whether any homes were damaged or when the fire would be contained.