Belgium is facing an unprecedented wildfire emergency as a massive blaze continues to burn through the High Fens nature reserve in the eastern part of the country. The fire, which began on August 14, has destroyed around thousand of hectares of forest, making it the largest wildfire recorded in Belgium.
The scale of the disaster has shocked a country that has traditionally experienced relatively few major wildfires compared with southern European nations. The fire has posed a particularly serious challenge because of the nature of the terrain. The High Fens contains extensive peatlands, where fires can continue smouldering beneath the surface even after flames appear to have been brought under control. Dry vegetation, high temperatures and shifting winds have further complicated the efforts of firefighters.
At one stage, the blaze was advancing towards the German border, raising fears that it could spread across national boundaries. Authorities evacuated around 600 residents and others from affected areas as a precaution. Firefighters from Belgium were joined by personnel from neighbouring Germany and Luxembourg, while the Belgian military and local farmers also provided assistance.
The European Union activated its Civil Protection Mechanism after Belgium requested additional support, bringing aircraft and helicopters from other European countries to assist the firefighting operation. Rainfall on Monday brought some much-needed relief. The showers helped slow the fire and reduced the immediate danger of the blaze advancing towards Germany.
Ayaz Khan, Brussels
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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