Belgian villages evacuated as record wildfires burn over 1,600 hectares

Residents from two villages in eastern Belgium have been evacuated as the country experiences its most severe wildfires on record. More than 1,600 hectares of land have been burned, exceeding the area affected by the 2011 fires, which scorched nearly 1,400 hectares. The European Union has provided water bombers and helicopters to assist in firefighting efforts. Five heatwaves during Europe’s summer have contributed to the hot and dry conditions fuelling widespread wildfires across the continent.