Firefighters in eastern Belgium are battling a significant wildfire that has engulfed more than 27 square kilometers (10 square miles) of the High Fens, a large nature reserve. The blaze, described by media as one of the most severe in the country's recent history, prompted the evacuation of approximately 600 residents from nearby municipalities.
Authorities issued evacuation orders for residents in Waimes and Bütgenbach, located in the Liège province near the German border, as shifting winds carried smoke through the region on Saturday. Tourists were also advised to leave, and a local gymnasium was opened to accommodate evacuees. As of Sunday morning, no homes had been directly impacted by the flames, although the fire remained close to residential areas and heavy smoke lingered.
More than 250 emergency personnel, including Belgian and German firefighters, police, military officers, and civil protection staff, have been deployed. They are being assisted by firefighting helicopters operated by Belgium's federal police and the Netherlands. Officials urged the public to avoid the fire zone to prevent unnecessary traffic from obstructing emergency vehicles and complicating firefighting efforts.
The High Fens, characterized by its heathland and peat bogs, has presented challenges for containment. The wildfire follows a period of unusually hot and dry weather, with temperatures reaching approximately 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in parts of Belgium on Friday.
In the adjacent German town of Monschau, authorities issued warnings on Saturday night as the fire approached within about 3 kilometers (2 miles) of the border. Firefighters were placed on alert, and early Sunday morning, the town's website recommended temporary evacuation for residents in three outlying districts due to potential health risks from smoke. Efforts to contain the fire are ongoing.