Belgium races to tame wildfire creeping towards Germany

Firefighters, supported by water-bombing aircraft and local farmers using tractors, are working to contain Belgium's largest modern wildfire. The blaze has consumed vast areas of the High Fens nature reserve, a region of peatlands and pine forests near the German border.

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if we cannot contain the fire

The fire has mushroomed to 3,000 hectares (7,500 acres) since breaking out two days ago. Firefighting chief Luc Burette warned of the risk of the fire spreading into Germany, located just a short distance to the east. In response, the mayor's office in Monschau, Germany, ordered the evacuation of two streets due to the fire, smoke, and changing weather.

On the Belgian side, hundreds of firefighters are deployed. Gregory Melotte, a firefighter, stated, "We're hanging in there, because everyone wants this fire put out." He noted that damage to tall fir trees had been limited, but the fire was not yet "under control." A thick plume of yellowish smoke blankets the border area, leading to the partial evacuation of two Belgian villages. Around 20 people spent the night in a local sports hall.

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We're hanging in there, because everyone wants this fire put out.

Local farmers have joined the effort, using tractors to ferry water from a nearby lake. "Right now there are about 15 tractors queuing to fill up," said Jean-Pierre Robert, a hotel manager. "We moved our cows and opened up all our fences to give them access." Belgium has recently experienced intense heat and drought, creating challenging conditions for firefighters. Interior Minister Bernard Quintin reported that two fire fronts, heading towards Jalhay and Monschau, are now "under control."

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We've really limited the damage to stop it from taking hold in the tall fir trees

The fire, which started for unknown reasons, is the country's largest since massive fires in 1911 during a similar period of heatwaves and drought. Fumes have reached the neighboring Belgian province of Namur and as far as eastern France, triggering an air-pollution alert. The governor's office in Liege confirmed that the defensive line protecting evacuated areas is holding, and no homes have been affected thus far, though the fire remains close and smoke levels are significant.

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Right now there are about 15 tractors queuing to fill up. We moved our cows and opened up all our fences to give them access.