Belgium’s Record High Fens Wildfire Burns 3,000 Hectares as Evacuations Continue
HIGH FENS NATIONAL PARK, Belgium — Residents near the Belgian-German border remained under evacuation orders Monday as firefighters battled the largest wildfire recorded in Belgium.
The blaze has burned approximately 3,000 hectares, or 7,400 acres, of peatland, woodland and moorland in the High Fens nature reserve.
Rain Slows Fire’s Advance
Rainfall and cooler temperatures helped crews partially contain the wildfire and stopped it from advancing toward Germany. However, officials warned that rain alone would not extinguish the fire.
About 30 residents of Ruitzhof and Geisberg near Monschau were not immediately permitted to return home because of the remaining fire and smoke risks.
International Firefighting Operation
Approximately 500 firefighters from Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg have joined farmers, military personnel and other emergency crews fighting the blaze.
European Union assistance includes three helicopters and two water-bombing aircraft. Authorities said additional evacuations were not currently expected, but operations remained active across the affected area.
