Firefighters push to ‘encircle’ Belgian wildfire

Firefighters in Belgium launched a critical operation to encircle the nation's largest wildfire in a century, which raged through High Fens nature reserve. The enormous blaze, spanning 3,000 hectares, threatened to engulf peatlands, pine trees, and hiking trails. Despite challenging weather conditions, including winds and rain, firefighters worked tirelessly to control the inferno.

Regional government spokesperson Nicolas Yernaux confirmed that the fire was under control in areas where they could operate, but a remote front near the German border remained a concern due to limited access. Water-bombing aircraft from various countries, including Norway, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands, attempted to suppress the fire but were repeatedly grounded by unfavorable weather conditions.

Smoke from the wildfire reached as far as eastern France, prompting air pollution alerts in that region. The High Fens fire, the country's most significant wildfire since 1911, required ongoing efforts to prevent reignition, and local farmers provided invaluable assistance by working shifts to deploy water tankers.