Large Wildfire in Belgian High Fens Remains Unpredictable Near German Border

A massive wildfire in the High Fens nature reserve in Belgium has destroyed approximately 3,000 hectares of land and remains unpredictable. The blaze has moved toward the German border, with one report placing the fire line about 2.3 kilometers from the border and another stating it is approximately eight kilometers away. Belgian and German emergency services are coordinating efforts, with around 240 German personnel from fire departments, police, and the Technical Relief Agency involved. International support has also arrived, including aircraft from Norway, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Firefighters face significant challenges due to the peaty soil of the region. Experts and officials warn that the fire can burn deep underground in the peat layer, meaning it could smolder for weeks or months and sporadically flare up even after the surface appears controlled. While recent rain and favorable winds have slowed the spread, officials state that the area must be thoroughly soaked to prevent reignition.

Both reports link the extreme weather conditions to climate change. In addition to the Belgian blaze, other fires have been reported across Europe. A forest fire near Schramberg in Germany is undergoing cleanup operations, while France has brought a fire in the Landes region under control. In Greece, authorities are investigating a deadly fire on Salamina island and have made hundreds of fire related arrests, including charges of arson and negligence.