Belgium battles record wildfire at German border

Belgium is currently fighting its largest wildfire on record, which has consumed approximately 2,700 hectares (6,700 acres) in the eastern High Fens nature reserve. The fire has come within 300 meters (984 feet) of the German border, prompting precautionary evacuations in the nearby German town of Monschau. The European Union has deployed three helicopters and two water bombers to aid Belgium in controlling the massive blaze, while additional firefighters have been sent to the region.

Around 600 residents in parts of Waimes, Sourbrodt, and Buetgenbach were ordered to evacuate due to shifting winds and heavy smoke. Tourists were also advised to leave the area. Restaurant owner David Rodolfs described the intense situation, saying, "You can't see a thing anymore; there's smoke everywhere." Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin expressed shock at the fire's speed and extent of destruction, stating, "There is a risk that the fire could reach homes, but we are deploying all available resources to protect them."

Nicolas Yernaux, a spokesperson for the regional authorities in Wallonia, added, "We are doing everything we can to safeguard homes." The fire, which started on Friday, has spread rapidly across peatlands and pine forests, making firefighting efforts difficult due to difficult terrain. The European Union has brought in three helicopters and two water-bombing aircraft from the Czech Republic, Sweden, and the Netherlands, along with firefighters from Germany and Luxembourg.

Farms have also contributed by wetting down the area. In Monschau, authorities evacuated around 30 residents from 17 homes as a precaution, but the fire was no longer advancing toward the German border early Monday, aided by light rain, lower winds, and high humidity. The blaze comes amid a spell of extreme heat in Belgium, with temperatures reaching 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 Fahrenheit) in some areas.

European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib called the wildfire the latest sign of climate upheaval affecting the continent, noting that it's the earliest wildfire season and reached such northern latitudes.