Belgium battles worst wildfire on record, EU allies come to aid

Belgium is currently battling its worst wildfire on record, with EU allies swiftly coming to their aid. The blaze, which broke out last Friday in an area of fragile peatlands and pine forests near the German border, has rapidly expanded from 80 hectares to a staggering 3,000 hectares (7,500 acres) by early Sunday. This represents a more than 30-fold increase in just a few days.

As of Sunday morning, over 250 firefighters and emergency personnel were on the ground, with assistance from Belgian federal police helicopters and Dutch aircraft, distributing water from a nearby lake. Additional aerial support, including helicopters from the Czech Republic and Sweden, were expected to be deployed later in the day under the EU's civil protection mechanism.

The High Fens nature reserve, where the fire originated, is described as a challenging terrain of heath, peat bogs, and raised wooden boardwalks, making firefighting operations particularly difficult. The cause of the blaze remains unknown, as rescue teams have been unable to access the initial fire location.

Belgium, like much of Europe, has been grappling with intense heat and drought conditions, with temperatures soaring to 37C in some regions on Friday. Despite no homes being damaged so far, the thick plume of yellowish smoke has prompted the evacuation of residents from nearby villages. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever expressed gratitude to European partners for the assistance provided, highlighting the critical role of international support in combating this unprecedented wildfire.