Belgium’s fire of the century now ‘under control’

Belgium's largest wildfire in a century has been brought under control after a seven-day effort by hundreds of firefighters in the High Fens nature reserve. The fire, which burned an area half the size of Manhattan – 3,000 hectares (7,500 acres) – now covers the entire western side of the blaze, with operations continuing to the east.

Seven aircraft from Germany, Norway, Belgium, and Sweden have been conducting water drops in and around the burnt perimeter, with aerial support crews expected to resume operations at nightfall. Peatland terrain allows the fire to burn underground and potentially reignite as a "zombie fire," meaning it could take weeks or months to fully extinguish.

Around 350 firefighters and other emergency personnel remain deployed in the effort, and authorities have lifted all evacuation orders, allowing residents to return home. The incident has reignited debates about Belgium's preparedness for climate change-related threats, with Interior Minister Bernard Quintin outlining a plan to address such risks.