Belgium's Record Wildfire Approaches German Border, Thousands Warned

Belgium is battling the largest wildfire in its recorded history, with flames tearing through around 2,700 hectares of the High Fens nature reserve in the east of the country near the German border. The blaze, which broke out on Friday, has spread to within approximately 3 kilometers of German territory, prompting cross-border warnings and emergency evacuations.

Evacuations and EU Support

Authorities ordered around 600 residents in parts of the communities of Waimes, Sourbrodt and Buetgenbach to leave their homes as shifting winds and thick smoke raised concerns that the fire could reach residential areas. Tourists were also advised to vacate the region. A gymnasium in a neighboring municipality was opened as a shelter. The European Union activated its civil protection mechanism, dispatching three helicopters and two water-bombing aircraft from the Czech Republic, Sweden and the Netherlands. Firefighters from Germany and Luxembourg joined the effort, supported by local farmers who helped wet down the surrounding land.

German Town of Monschau on Alert

Authorities in the German border town of Monschau in the Eifel region — located just 2 kilometers from the frontier — warned residents in three districts to consider temporarily relocating due to smoke dangers. Monschau, with about 12,000 inhabitants and famed for its historic half-timbered Old Town, is a popular tourist destination. However, local fire brigade operations manager Philipp Krüger told the DPA news agency that the fire was not expected to cross into German territory in the near future.

Climate Context

Belgium has been gripped by extreme heat this week, with temperatures reaching 37 degrees Celsius (98.6°F). Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said he was "shocked" by the fire's speed and scale. European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib called the blaze another sign of the "climate upheaval" sweeping the continent, noting that never before has the wildfire season started so early and reached such northern latitudes. Scientists link the increasing frequency of severe wildfires to human-caused climate change.