EU sends aircraft and villagers evacuate as Belgium battles record wildfire
Summary
Firefighters in eastern Belgium are fighting one of the country’s largest wildfires, which has burned over 2,700 hectares of land in the High Fens nature reserve. Hundreds of villagers were evacuated as the fire spread rapidly, with help arriving from EU helicopters and water bombers.Key Facts
- The wildfire started on Friday, August 14, 2026, in the High Fens park near the German border.
- It has burned more than 2,700 hectares (about 6,700 acres) by Saturday, growing from just 80 hectares.
- The area includes fragile peatlands and pine forests, similar to those damaged by wildfires in 1911.
- Around 600 people from nearby villages, including Sourbrodt and Buetgenbach, were told to evacuate.
- A gym in Malmedy municipality was set up to shelter evacuees and provide basic needs like food and water.
- Belgium activated the EU civil protection system to get extra help, including helicopters and water bombers from the Netherlands and Sweden.
- The wildfire season is starting earlier and reaching northern areas, linked to climate changes.
- The difficult and uneven terrain is making it hard for firefighters to get close and control the fire on the ground.
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