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🇩🇪 Germany /Disasters & Emergencies

Forest Fires in NRW and Belgium Under Control; Monschau Likely Safe

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The largest forest fires in the history of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and Belgium, in the Hürtgenwald and High Fens respectively, are now under control after days of firefighting.
  • While the situation in Monschau, Germany, has eased, with no immediate threat of flames crossing the border, residents are warned of smoke.
  • Firefighters continue to battle the extensive blaze in Belgium, with German support deployed, while a slight chance of rain is forecast for the Eifel region.

Firefighters have brought the largest forest fires in the history of North Rhine-Westphalia and Belgium under control after a prolonged, large-scale operation. The blaze in Germany's Hürtgenwald, which consumed 300 hectares, is now contained, according to Düren District Administrator Ralf Nolten. While the number of deployed personnel has been significantly reduced, an observation helicopter with thermal imaging continues to monitor for any rekindling of embers, and two water-bombing helicopters remain on standby.

The number of emergency personnel has been significantly reduced.

— Ralf NoltenDürens Landrat Ralf Nolten announced the progress in controlling the Hürtgenwald fire.

The situation in Monschau, Germany, near the Belgian border, has also improved. Although the fire front in Belgium's High Fens moved closer to the Eifel town, local authorities do not anticipate flames crossing into German territory. The primary concern for Monschau residents is the smell of smoke, which could be harmful to health. Meanwhile, the fire on the Belgian side of the border has scorched approximately 2,700 hectares, marking Belgium's largest forest fire.

Belgian authorities requested assistance from German firefighters on Sunday, which has begun. German crews are being deployed near Küchelscheid, a Belgian village adjacent to Monschau. While evacuations for two districts in Monschau, Mützenich and Kalterherberg, housing around 5,000 residents, are not currently deemed necessary, citizens are advised they can leave their homes as a precaution due to the smoke. The fire risk is considered lower on the German side, with many firefighters already withdrawn overnight.

The city does not expect the flames to spread to German territory, but warns primarily of odor pollution that is harmful to health.

— Monschau City SpokespersonA spokesperson for the city of Monschau described the current concerns.

On the Belgian side, however, the firefighting effort remains intense, with around 600 people in two Belgian towns instructed to evacuate their homes. Meteorologists predict some rain for the Eifel region in the coming days, though not in large quantities, offering a glimmer of hope for the ongoing efforts to fully extinguish the remaining hotspots.

About 600 people in two Belgian towns have been instructed to leave their homes.

— Belgian News Agency BelgaThe Belgian news agency Belga reported on evacuations in Belgium.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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