Firefighters battle wildfire tearing through Belgian nature reserve

A wildfire is raging out of control in Belgium's largest nature reserve, described as the country's worst in recent history. Authorities have ordered residents to evacuate two nearby villages as the flames have consumed a third of the High Fens, a terrain known for its bog-like territory, moorland and forests. Water-bombing aircraft and helicopters from across Europe have been dispatched to aid the firefighting efforts.

This blaze is one of many wildfires burning across Europe, including a forest fire in southwestern France that forced hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes. Nicolas Yernaux, a regional authority spokesperson in Wallonia, stated that the fire is the country's largest in recent history and that there is a risk of it reaching homes.

The challenging terrain of the High Fens has hampered firefighting efforts, leading to the local authorities allowing parts of the heathland to burn. Gregory Melotte, a firefighter, reported that they managed to control the fire coming from the plain but the situation remains critical. The EU has activated its civil protection mechanism, calling for reinforcements from other countries.

Meanwhile, in France, authorities reported that 650 residents evacuated their homes as a separate wildfire burned in the Landes region. This incident comes amid a summer of extreme heat across Europe, leading to numerous forest fires.