Belgium is battling its largest recorded wildfire as a blaze spreads through the High Fens nature reserve in the east [2].
The fire is particularly dangerous because it is burning through peat and heathland, which can sustain underground fires that are difficult to extinguish. This event signals an increasing vulnerability to extreme weather in a region not traditionally prone to large-scale wildfires.
Authorities ordered the evacuation of hundreds of residents from the villages of Waimes and Bütgenbach [1]. Some reports said as many as 600 residents were forced to leave their homes as the flames moved toward the German border [2].
The fire was fueled by an intense heatwave that pushed temperatures near 37 °C [4]. This extreme heat left the peat-rich soil and heathland exceptionally dry, allowing the fire to spread rapidly across the reserve [5].
Reports on the total area burned vary across sources. Some estimates place the damage at 1,600 hectares [3], while others report more than 2,700 hectares [1]. A separate estimate suggests the burn area is roughly 30 square kilometres [3].
Emergency crews continue to work in the High Fens, known as Hautes Fagnes, to contain the perimeter. The combination of dry organic matter and high temperatures has created a volatile environment for firefighters battling the blaze [1], [2].
“Belgium is battling its largest recorded wildfire”
The scale of this wildfire highlights the growing risk of peatland fires in Europe. Unlike surface fires, peat fires can burn deep underground for extended periods, making them harder to detect and extinguish while releasing significant amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere.
