Belgium's fire of the century now 'under control'

Belgium's largest wildfire in a century has finally been brought under control after a week-long firefighting effort involving hundreds of firefighters from Belgium, Germany, Norway, and Sweden. The blaze, which scorched 3,000 hectares of peatland, pine trees, and hiking trails in the High Fens nature reserve, now poses no threat of spreading further, barring extreme weather changes or unforeseen factors, according to the local governor's office.

The fire, which doubled its size over the weekend to the size of Manhattan, was particularly challenging due to the windy conditions and a mini-tornado that struck a town outside the park. Aircraft from several countries were involved in water drops, while ground crews worked to suppress the fire. Airlift operations were temporarily halted due to bad weather, but were expected to resume late in the day when civil protection drones took over monitoring duties.

Despite the success, experts warn that smoldering ground fires, known as "zombie fires," could reignite in the peatland terrain for weeks or even months, requiring continued monitoring and suppression. Around 350 firefighters and emergency personnel remain deployed in the operation, with evacuation orders lifted and residents allowed to return to their homes.

The incident has sparked discussions about Belgium's preparedness for the increasing risks posed by climate change-related wildfires.