Key facts
- The EU deployed three helicopters and two water bomber aircraft to Belgium.
- The wildfire is the largest on record in Belgium, burning 2,700 hectares.
- Residents in several villages were advised to evacuate their homes.
- Firefighting efforts involve personnel from Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the army, and farmers.
- The difficult terrain of the High Fens nature reserve is hindering firefighting.
The European Union has deployed three helicopters and two water bomber aircraft to Belgium to assist in fighting the country's largest wildfire on record, which is raging in the High Fens nature reserve. Local authorities have urged residents in several villages to evacuate their homes as a precautionary measure due to the rapidly spreading blaze and changing winds.
The fire, which began on Friday, has consumed 2,700 hectares by Saturday evening, nearly doubling in size from earlier in the day and surpassing the previous record of 1,400 hectares in 2011. Firefighters from Belgium, Germany, and Luxembourg, supported by the army and farmers, are working to contain the flames. The challenging terrain of the nature reserve is making it difficult for emergency services to access the fire directly.
Tourists and a children's summer camp were also evacuated. This event occurs during Europe's fifth heatwave of the summer, with scientists linking such extreme weather conditions to human-caused climate change, which increases the likelihood and intensity of wildfires. The EU's emergency response mechanism coordinates the deployment of additional resources from member states when requested.