Hundreds evacuated as record wildfire rages in Belgium

Hundreds of residents in eastern Belgium have been evacuated as firefighters battle a record-breaking wildfire that has ravaged the country's largest nature reserve. The blaze, which ignited on Friday, has transformed large swathes of the High Fens into a scorched landscape.

By Saturday evening, the fire had spread across more than 2,700 hectares, an area slightly larger than the Danish island of Anholt, according to local authorities. This figure represents a significant increase from the 1,600 hectares reported earlier on Saturday. Belgian authorities have described the wildfire as the largest in the nation's recent history.

The fire originated in an area of peat bogs and pine forests, regions that also experienced severe wildfires in 1911 during a period of drought and high temperatures. Residents in the nearby villages of Sourbrodt and Bütgenbach received evacuation orders on Saturday afternoon as a precautionary measure. Approximately 600 people were affected by the evacuation order, with a sports hall in the neighboring municipality of Malmedy converted into a temporary shelter.

Local firefighters, farmers, and the Belgian army are engaged in efforts to combat the flames. The European Union has dispatched three helicopters and two water bombers to assist Belgium's firefighting operations following a request from the country. This wildfire follows a similar large blaze in neighboring Germany, which was reported under control on Saturday after forcing the evacuation of over 2,000 people.

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We are here to provide them with information and cover their basic needs. That is, food, water and a place to rest. This applies especially to the most vulnerable.