Forest fire in Belgium covers 3,000 hectares, residents evacuated

A forest fire engulfing nearly 3,000 hectares of a nature reserve in eastern Belgium has forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents, according to authorities. The blaze broke out on Friday near the German border in the High Fens nature reserve, quickly spreading through areas of reeds and pine forests. By Sunday morning, regional officials confirmed that the fire had become one of the largest in modern Belgian history, prompting emergency services to mobilize resources from across the country and even seek international assistance. The fire has created complex conditions for firefighters. Although wind intensity was low, the direction of the wind changed several times during the night, complicating efforts to contain the flames. Visibility has been severely reduced due to thick smoke, with some areas becoming almost invisible. Residents of nearby villages have been ordered to evacuate as a precaution, while others have been advised to stay indoors with windows and doors closed to avoid exposure to harmful fumes. More than 600 people were evacuated from parts of the villages of Sourbrodt and Butgenbach on Saturday afternoon, according to the Belgian news agency Belga. A temporary shelter was opened at a local high school in the neighboring commune of Malmedy for displaced residents. Firefighters have struggled to reach the affected area due to the rugged terrain, which includes marshlands, reed beds, and elevated wooden walkways. As a result, they have been forced to retreat to the edge of the forest, allowing portions of the fire to burn unchecked. Regional spokesperson Nicolas Yernaux warned that the fire is still out of control and poses a risk to nearby homes. Authorities have activated the European Union’s civil protection mechanism, enabling Belgium to request personnel and equipment from across the continent. A Dutch helicopter has already arrived at the scene, with two more set to join soon, along with two Swedish firefighting aircraft scheduled to operate starting Monday. European Union representative Hadja Lahbib described the fire as the latest sign of climate-related disruptions affecting the continent. She noted that this season marks the earliest start to a wildfire season and the northernmost geographical extent ever recorded. Temperatures in parts of Belgium reached 37 degrees Celsius on Friday, exacerbating the situation. Eyewitness accounts highlight the severity of the crisis. David Rodolfs, owner of a restaurant near the town of Waimes, told AFP that his colleagues witnessed the fire breaking out on Friday. He described how ash fell onto tables before guests were asked to leave immediately. “There was no dessert, everyone had to go,” Rodolfs said. Firefighters face additional challenges due to the difficult terrain. According to Yernaux, the landscape has made traditional firefighting methods ineffective, forcing crews to rely heavily on aerial support. Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin expressed shock at the speed and scale of destruction, noting that the region has faced extreme heatwaves and droughts similar to those of 1911, when large wildfires also devastated the area. The fire is located just a few dozen kilometers from another major blaze in western Germany, where approximately 1,800 people have been evacuated as flames approach residential areas in the town of Hurtgenwald. Both incidents underscore the growing threat posed by increasingly frequent and severe wildfires linked to climate change. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts to protect both human lives and the environment. Emergency services remain on high alert, preparing for potential changes in weather patterns that could further impact containment operations.