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Hundreds flee as Belgium battles record wildfire near German border
🇴🇲 Oman /Disasters & Emergencies

Hundreds flee as Belgium battles record wildfire near German border

From Times of Oman · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Belgium is battling its largest wildfire on record, which has consumed approximately 2,700 hectares in the High Fens nature reserve near the German border.
  • Around 600 residents were ordered to evacuate as shifting winds and heavy smoke threatened homes, while the EU deployed aerial resources to aid firefighting efforts.
  • The fire, which started Friday, has spread rapidly through peatlands and pine forests, with difficult terrain hampering ground operations and prompting reliance on helicopters and water bombers.

Belgium is confronting its largest wildfire ever recorded, with the blaze scorching an estimated 2,700 hectares (6,700 acres) within the High Fens nature reserve, close to the German border. The fire's proximity, within 3 kilometers (2 miles) of Germany, has led authorities there to issue warnings about smoke danger.

In response, the European Union has deployed three helicopters and two water bombers, while Belgium has increased its firefighting personnel. Authorities mandated the evacuation of approximately 600 residents from parts of Waimes, Sourbrodt, and Buetgenbach. Concerns are high that the fire could reach residential areas due to unpredictable winds and dense smoke. Tourists have also been advised to leave the affected region.

"You can't see a thing anymore, there's smoke everywhere," said David Rodolfs, a restaurant owner in Waimes, describing the severe visibility issues. A local gymnasium has been opened to provide shelter for those displaced. The fire, which ignited on Friday, has advanced swiftly through peatlands and pine forests.

You can't see a thing anymore, there's smoke everywhere

— David RodolfsA restaurant owner in Waimes describing the visibility issues caused by the wildfire smoke.

Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin expressed shock at the fire's rapid spread and the scale of the destruction. "There is a risk that the fire could reach homes, but we are deploying all available resources to protect them," stated Nicolas Yernaux, a spokesperson for the Wallonia regional authorities. The challenging terrain has complicated firefighting, forcing reliance on aerial support and allowing some inaccessible areas to burn.

Firefighters from Germany and Luxembourg are assisting, alongside farmers who are helping to wet down the area. German authorities in Monschau, just 2 kilometers from the border, have alerted residents to potential evacuation and warned of health risks from smoke. While the local fire brigade does not anticipate the fire crossing into German territory soon, they are closely monitoring the situation. This wildfire occurs amidst a recent spell of extreme heat in Belgium, with temperatures reaching 37 degrees Celsius.

There is a risk that the fire could reach homes, but we are deploying all available resources to protect them

— Nicolas YernauxA spokesperson for the regional authorities in Wallonia addressing the potential threat to homes.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Times of Oman in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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