Belgium Battles Historic Wildfire as Evacuations Take Place
By Editor • August 16, 2026 • 1 min read
A devastating wildfire in Belgium has prompted urgent evacuations as firefighters confront one of the worst blazes in the nation’s history. The inferno, which erupted on Friday in the High Fens park near the German border, has rapidly expanded, incinerating over 3,000 hectares by Sunday morning, a stark increase from just 80 hectares on its first day.
Local authorities have issued evacuation orders for hundreds of residents in eastern Belgium, particularly in the villages of Sourbrodt and Buetgenbach. The Belgian Red Cross has mobilized to provide shelter and basic necessities, with a gymnasium in Malmedy opened to accommodate those displaced.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos as thick smoke enveloped the area. David Rodolfs, a restaurant owner in Waimes, recounted how ash rained down on diners, forcing a hasty evacuation. He stated, “There was ash falling onto the tables, and then we asked our customers to leave. No dessert, everyone had to go.”
The challenging terrain, characterized by heathland and peat bogs, has hampered firefighting efforts, with emergency services unable to combat the flames up close using conventional methods. Nicolas Yernaux, a spokesperson for Wallonia’s regional authorities, emphasized the precarious situation, warning that the fire remains uncontrolled and poses a threat to nearby homes.
In response to the escalating disaster, Belgium activated the European Union's civil protection mechanism, receiving support from EU nations including Dutch and Swedish aerial firefighting units. European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib noted the alarming onset of the wildfire season, stating, “Never before has the wildfire season started so early in the year and reached such northern latitudes.”
As Belgium endures an intense heatwave with temperatures soaring to 37 degrees Celsius, the wildfire’s impact is mirrored by a significant blaze in western Germany, which has already led to the evacuation of approximately 1,800 individuals.
Source: www.france24.com
