Belgian federal police and firefighters are working to contain a large wildfire in the High Fens nature reserve in eastern Belgium.
The blaze threatens a protected ecological region, requiring a coordinated response from multiple emergency services to prevent further environmental destruction.
The Director of Federal Police in Waimes said his team is working closely with firefighters to manage the crisis. The fire broke out on Sunday and has since spread across the landscape near Waimes.
Reports indicate the wildfire has burned more than 27 square kilometers, or approximately 10 square miles [1]. The High Fens area is a critical nature reserve, and the scale of the burn poses a significant risk to the local ecosystem.
Police are coordinating the movement of personnel and equipment to ensure that firefighters can access the rugged terrain of the reserve. The regional police director said various services are working together to battle the flames and secure the perimeter.
Containment efforts remain the primary focus as crews attempt to stop the fire from expanding further into the surrounding forests, and wetlands. The coordination between the federal police and fire services is intended to streamline the deployment of resources in the eastern region.
“The wildfire has burned more than 27 square kilometers [1].”
The scale of the fire in the High Fens nature reserve highlights the vulnerability of Belgium's protected moorlands and forests to extreme fire events. Because this area is a critical biodiversity hotspot, the loss of 27 square kilometers of land may have long-term implications for local wildlife and soil stability.
