A massive wildfire has devastated a nature reserve in eastern Belgium and another deadly blaze erupted on a Greek island near Athens. Hot and dry weather has fueled these fires across Europe.
Wildfire in Belgium
In eastern Belgium, a fire has charred approximately 30 square kilometers (12 square miles) of the High Fens, one of the worst wildfires in the country’s recent history. Around 600 residents of Waimes and Bütgenbach, near the German border, had to evacuate as smoke spread and winds shifted. Authorities also advised tourists to leave, and a local gymnasium was opened to accommodate evacuees.
Hervé Jamar, governor of Liège province, reported that over 250 emergency personnel, including more than 100 firefighters from Belgium and Germany, along with police, military, and civil protection staff, were on the scene. Helicopters from Belgium’s federal police and the Netherlands also assisted.
A fire truck was positioned as smoke rose in the High Fens nature reserve on Friday during the wildfire battle.
Fatal Fire in Greece
In Greece, a wildfire on the island of Salamina, west of Athens, resulted in two fatalities. The bodies were discovered in Peristeria village where strong winds intensified the blaze. Another fire broke out in the Selini area. Firefighting and coast guard vessels evacuated beachgoers from the affected regions.
A total of 260 firefighters responded to the Greek fires, utilizing 15 ground teams, 10 aircraft, and eight helicopters. The island was on high alert for wildfires on Sunday due to strong winds. Fire Brigadier General Vasileios Vathrakogiannis noted the fire’s rapid expansion toward residential areas.
Record-Breaking Fire in Belgium
This wildfire in Belgium far exceeds the 2011 blaze that burned nearly 14 square kilometers (5.4 square miles) in the same area, previously the nation’s largest on record. Nicolas Yernaux from the Public Service of Wallonia described worsening conditions due to extremely dry soil.
René Dahmen, chief engineer at the Department of Nature and Forest, reported ongoing challenges in areas difficult to access. A significant priority was preventing the fire from reaching a municipal forest.
Efforts to prevent the fire from spreading westward toward the German town of Monschau have been effective.
Across the German border, local authorities warned the fire was about 1.5 kilometers (under a mile) away. Farmers from both Belgium and Germany used tanker trucks to support firefighting efforts.
International Assistance
Belgium requested aid through the European Union’s civil protection mechanism. EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib confirmed Sweden’s contribution of two water-bombing aircraft and additional helicopter support from the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.
The wildfire occurs after weeks of unusually hot and dry weather, complicating containment due to the High Fens’ unique landscape.
Belgium experienced another heat spell, with temperatures hitting 37 C (98.6 F) on Friday.
Wildfires in France and the UK
In southwestern France, firefighters managed a wildfire near the Landes region, with no severe overnight outbreaks reported. Around 650 people evacuated, and authorities assessed a burned area of 17 square kilometers (6.6 square miles). France has faced several significant wildfires this summer.
In the UK, crews battled 14 wildfires in South Wales, aided by military personnel. Despite the easing heatwave, officials warned of persistent wildfire risks due to drought. Fires in the West Midlands damaged over a dozen homes during record-breaking heat.
German firefighters made headway against a wildfire in the Hürtgen Forest, allowing about 2,000 people to return home. By Sunday, no open flames remained, and a cleared cordon enclosed the affected area to prevent further spread.