A massive peat-fueled wildfire has burned approximately 3,000 hectares [1] in Belgium's High Fens nature reserve.
This blaze is particularly dangerous because it burns underground, making it resistant to traditional firefighting methods and releasing significant amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere.
The fire is burning about one meter below the surface [1], according to reports. This subterranean movement has complicated efforts to contain the flames as they approach the German town of Monschau. Emergency responders from both Belgium and Germany have coordinated to manage the threat to local residents and the environment.
Hundreds of residents were evacuated from the area as the fire spread [4]. The intensity of the blaze has also taken a toll on emergency crews, with two firefighters hospitalized during the operation [1].
Officials said the risk of such fires is heightened by hot, dry climate conditions and prolonged drought. These factors dry out the peat soils, which act as fuel for the underground fire. Unlike surface fires, peat fires can smolder for long periods without visible flames, creating a persistent hazard for the region.
Relief arrived on Monday, Aug. 17, 2024, when rain fell over eastern Belgium [5]. Firefighters said the precipitation helped in the fight against the flames, which have been described as the biggest wildfire in the country's history.
While some reports mentioned fatalities in the region, authorities in Belgium reported no deaths, noting only the two hospitalizations among the firefighting crews [3].
“The fire is burning about one meter below the surface”
The High Fens blaze underscores the growing vulnerability of peatlands to climate-driven drought. Because peat stores vast quantities of carbon, these underground fires create a dangerous feedback loop: the drought enables the fire, and the resulting combustion releases carbon that further contributes to global warming. This event signals a shift in European wildfire risks, where the threat is no longer limited to surface vegetation but extends to the soil itself.
