Belgium is currently facing one of its largest wildfires in history, with the blaze continuing to burn out of control despite improved weather conditions and rain aiding firefighting efforts. In Greece, a fire briefly erupted near the main airport on the outskirts of Athens.
The wildfire in Belgium is expected to persist for months due to the peaty soil, potentially causing sporadic flare-ups. This situation is aggravated by Europe experiencing one of its hottest and driest summers on record, with climate change being identified as a contributing factor.
King Philippe of Belgium interrupted his summer vacation to visit the emergency services battling the wildfire in the eastern High Fens area, near the German border. The fire has already scorched an estimated 30 square kilometers of land, leaving behind charred trees and smoldering terrain.
Despite favorable winds helping to prevent significant growth of the fire, it remains uncontained in inaccessible areas, as reported by the Wallonia region. Over 500 firefighters, supported by aircraft from Norway, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands, are working tirelessly alongside local police using drones to combat the blaze.
Farmers are assisting by providing water for firefighting operations, with helicopters releasing large volumes of water over the flames in forested areas. The fire, although partially controlled in some regions, continues to burn in inaccessible zones towards Monschau in Germany, as explained by a spokesperson for the Wallonia regional public services.
The fire’s underground nature poses a challenge, with a forest ranger indicating that the burning could persist for months beneath the peat layer. The possibility of smoldering fires reigniting remains, with new flames emerging nearby. As a precaution, evacuation orders are still in place for hundreds of residents.
In Greece, authorities swiftly extinguished a fire near the main airport on Salamina island that resulted in casualties and property damage. Additional wildfires broke out in Spata, east of Athens, but were contained within 30 minutes by firefighters and aerial support.
In southwestern France, a fire in the Landes region has finally been brought under control after days of intense firefighting efforts. Evacuated residents are gradually returning home, with the government pledging financial aid to help rebuild affected areas.
Tourists in affected regions have evacuated, and reservations have been canceled due to the ongoing wildfire threats. As the battle against wildfires continues across Europe, authorities are urging vigilance to prevent further incidents and protect lives and property.