Belgian High Fens Wildfire Largest on Record

A record-breaking wildfire in Belgium’s High Fens near the German border has burned about 2,700 to 3,000 hectares since Friday, making it the country’s largest on record and prompting evacuations for around 600 residents. The rugged peatlands and shifting winds have complicated containment, with a roughly one-kilometre front spreading toward Germany but not crossing the border, and authorities say the area remains out of control in parts. Firefighting has drawn in crews from across Belgium as well as Germany and Luxembourg, with aerial support from several EU countries including the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Sweden and others under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, and the Belgian army and local farmers assisting on the ground. Cooler, more humid conditions and reinforcements from abroad are expected to aid efforts, though access remains difficult due to terrain and smoke plumes, and some villages near the blaze have been evacuated or advised to remain ready. Authorities said the defensive line around affected communities was holding on Sunday, even as the smoke continued to impact air quality and the fight to contain the fire persisted amid ongoing heatwave conditions.