Belgian wildfire more than doubles in size on third day as it tears through nature reserve
A wildfire burning for a third day through Hautes Fagnes, Belgium's largest nature reserve, has more than doubled in size in 24 hours and is described as the largest in the country's recent history. Two villages have been evacuated as firefighters get aerial support from Sweden and the Netherlands.
A major wildfire continues to burn through Hautes Fagnes, Belgium's largest nature reserve near the eastern border with Germany, for a third consecutive day. Local officials said on Sunday the fire had more than doubled in size over the previous 24 hours, making it the largest wildfire in the country's recent history.
According to AFP news agency, citing local officials, the blaze covered around 80 hectares on Friday, grew to 850 hectares by Saturday morning, and had reached 3,000 hectares by early Sunday.
Hundreds of firefighters are working to contain the flames, joined by local farmers hauling water tankers into the park. Water-bombing aircraft and helicopters sent from Sweden and the Netherlands are also assisting the effort.
Two nearby villages have been evacuated. Officials say high heat combined with the reserve's difficult terrain — a mix of bog-like land, moorland and forest — has made firefighting efforts more difficult.
Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said two fronts of the fire, moving toward Jalhay and Monschau, had been brought under control. However, authorities describe conditions as still challenging and say they remain heavily reliant on aerial support to bring the blaze under control. No homes have been affected so far.
Part of a wider European trend
The Belgian fire is one of several wildfires reported across Europe this weekend. On a Greek island off the coast of Athens, at least two people were killed in forest fires on Sunday.
