Firefighters from Belgium and Germany are battling the largest modern-day wildfire in Belgium's history within the High Fens nature reserve.
The blaze threatens a critical ecological zone and has required an international response to prevent the fire from crossing deeper into German territory.
The fire broke out late Saturday night and continued into Sunday, Aug. 16 [1]. The blaze has scorched more than 3,000 hectares [2], with other reports estimating the burned area at approximately 30 square kilometres [3].
Resources deployed to the scene include water-bombing aircraft and helicopters provided by the European Union [1]. On the ground, Belgian and German firefighters are working alongside farmers who have provided tractors to create firebreaks and manage the terrain [4].
High Fens, also known as Hautes Fagnes, is a protected plateau in eastern Belgium [3]. The region's unique peatland and moorland environment can make wildfires particularly difficult to extinguish once they take hold in the soil.
Emergency services have worked to coordinate the cross-border effort as the fire crept toward the German border [4]. The deployment of EU-level aviation assets highlights the scale of the disaster, a record for the nation's modern era [1].
“Belgium's largest modern-day wildfire burning the High Fens nature reserve”
The scale of the High Fens fire demonstrates the increasing vulnerability of European peatlands to extreme weather. Because these ecosystems store vast amounts of carbon, such wildfires not only destroy biodiversity but can also release significant greenhouse gases, complicating regional climate goals.
