Belgium Wildfire: Rains Help High Fens Containment Efforts

Belgian firefighters are working to encircle and contain the country's largest wildfire in a century, which has now covered around 3,000 hectares near the High Fens nature reserve. Rain and cooler temperatures on Tuesday provided some relief to the blaze, but winds and difficult terrain have hampered air support and waterbombing operations. The fire is being fought from above due to the challenging access conditions in the boggy peatlands, pine forests, and hiking trails of the High Fens.

Regional government spokesman Niolas Yernaux said that firefighters have made a crucial link-up between the eastern and northern fronts of the fire, though the area remaining a concern is the stretch towards the German border and the town of Monschau. Smoke has spread to cities like Cologne and Wuppertal, raising concerns about poor air quality and health risks.

Around 170 people are working in a three-shift rotation to combat the fire, and authorities expect the operation to continue for several more days. Villagers in evacuated areas like Sourbrodt have started returning to their homes, but authorities advise continued caution and limit travel within the affected area. The Wallonia Agriculture Ministry is reviewing compensation for farmers who helped with firefighting efforts, as requested by the president of the Royal Federation of Belgian Firefighters.