Thousands of Hectares Burned as Cross-Border Firefighting Operation Intensifies

Belgium is battling its largest wildfire on record, with the blaze in the High Fens nature reserve in eastern Belgium burning around 3,000 hectares approximately 7,400 acres and advancing towards the German border.

The fire has been burning since Friday, with firefighters from Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg working alongside the Belgian army and local farmers to contain the flames. Dutch helicopters have also been assisting firefighting operations, while the European Union has deployed additional aircraft following Belgium’s request for emergency support.

Authorities have evacuated around 600 residents from nearby communities, while people living close to the German border have been warned about heavy smoke. Officials say the fire is not currently expected to cross into Germany, but emergency teams remain focused on the advancing front.

The scale of the blaze has already surpassed Belgium’s previous wildfire record from 2011, which affected approximately 1,400 hectares.

Firefighters have faced difficult conditions in the High Fens, where dry vegetation, challenging terrain and recent heatwaves have made the blaze particularly difficult to contain.

The wildfire is part of a broader wave of extreme fires affecting several parts of Europe amid hot and dry conditions. Authorities and emergency services across the region remain on high alert as drought and elevated temperatures increase the risk of further outbreaks.

As firefighters continue their efforts, authorities are urging evacuated residents to remain away from affected areas until it is safe to return.