Firefighters battle wildfire tearing through Belgian nature reserve

A raging wildfire ravaged Belgium's largest nature reserve on Saturday, marking the country's worst blaze in recent memory. Authorities ordered evacuations in two villages close to the park as the flames engulfed one-third of the High Fens. International aerial support arrived in the form of water-bombing aircraft and helicopters from across Europe to assist the local firefighting efforts.

As of Saturday afternoon, the fire was deemed uncontrolled by Belgian officials. Nicolas Yernaux, a spokesperson for Wallonia's regional authorities, warned of the risk of homes being compromised, stating that all available resources were being employed to safeguard them. The dense, boggy terrain of the High Fens, composed of moorland and forests, presented a challenge for the firefighters.

Some areas of the heathland were intentionally allowed to burn due to accessibility concerns. Gregory Melotte, a firefighter battling the blaze, reported success in containing the fire's advance into the fir forest, but the fight was far from over. The shifting winds and a sudden shift in direction had tested their resolve. In response to the escalating situation, Brussels activated the European Union's civil protection mechanism to secure reinforcements from other nations.

European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib confirmed that Swedish water-bombing aircraft and helicopters from the Czech Republic and the Netherlands were en route to aid the Belgian forces. Meanwhile, in France's Landes region, 650 residents were evacuated as another wildfire ignited on Saturday following a reignition on earlier in the day.

Numerous forest fires have also been reported across Europe since Friday, with Croatia, Spain, and Serbia among the affected countries. The EU's climate monitoring service, Copernicus, confirmed that western Europe witnessed its hottest June-to-July period on record.